Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina awards grant funds to 11 public health programs.

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1996--Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina has awarded $66,000 in grant funds to 11 South Carolina public health programs as part of the company's 50th anniversary activities.

The grants program, which was announced in August, drew over 350 applicants from across the state. "The purpose behind the grants program is to reward innovative, community health initiatives which normally don't have wide access to funding. We were very pleased by the response and the quality of the submissions," said Blue Cross President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Sellers. Grant applications were judged by a panel of business, community and health leaders.

The 11 organizations receiving funding are:

$10,000 to Clio Elementary/Middle School of Clio, SC for a dental health and education campaign.

$10,000 to the Darlington Communities in Schools of Darlington, SC for a program to educate and encourage teenage mothers to be good parents and finish their education.

$9,000 to the Allendale Prevention Council of Allendale, SC for a program to encourage students to volunteer for health programs in the community and to learn about health careers for the future.

$6,000 to Mellichamp Elementary School of Orangeburg, SC for computer hardware and software to track student health and health outcomes.

$6,000 to the Council on Aging of the Midlands for its Neighborcare program.

$5,000 to Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services of Columbia for the expansion of its CARENET program for HIV and AIDS patients into rural counties.

$5,000 to Planned Parenthood of South Carolina of Columbia for the creation of a computerized medical tracking system.

$5,000 to the Spartanburg Running Club for the expansion of its school fitness programs.

$5,000 to Baskerville Ministries of Pawleys Island, SC for its dental health and education program.

$2,500 to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and North Hartsville Elementary School for its program to promote a smoke and drug-free lifestyle to students.

$2,500 to Dorchester Community Health Partners of Summerville, SC for its healthy lifestyle day camp for students.

The grant funds were given to recipients by Sellers Friday night, November 15, at an awards banquet in Columbia. "The grants program is the centerpiece of all our anniversary activities and we thank all of those who submitted applications," Sellers said.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina was founded in 1946 in Greenville. The company moved its headquarters to Columbia in 1957, and today employs over 6,000 people across the state. As the state's largest insurer, it provides insurance and related services to nearly 1 million people across South Carolina.

CONTACT: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina

Teoti Pullie, 803/788-0222, Ext. 42958