The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City today received a gift of $2,500 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and through the charitable efforts of pro golfer Natalie Gulbis, the club can receive much more support as play begins for the 2015 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. A former Boys & Girls Club member and volunteer with the organization as she was growing up in Sacramento, California, Ms. Gulbis has accepted the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Walking and Wellness Challenge. Under the challenge, Horizon BCBSNJ will contribute another $1,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City for every 10,000 steps Ms. Gulbis records on a Fitbit as she walks the course during tourney play at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club.“Horizon is committed to ensuring that the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City can continue as a haven where children and families can go for quality programs and community services,” said Jonathan R. Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon BCBSNJ. Pearson noted that through its walking challenge with Golf Channel commentator Karen Stupples during the 2014 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, the company donated a total of $4,500 to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City and an additional $4,500 to its First Tee program. “Horizon is grateful to Natalie for making the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City a true winner of this tourney before it even begins.”Through many charitable efforts, Ms. Gulblis has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support Boys & Girls clubs nationally.During a check presentation ceremony at Stockton Seaview today, representatives for the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City’s Board of Trustees accepted a ceremonial donation of $2,500 from Horizon BCBSNJ.At the same time, Ms. Gulbis who is playing her 15th year on the LPGA Tour, pledged to raise more by accepting Horizon BCBSNJ’s Walking and Wellness challenge.“As someone who understands and appreciates the true value that Boys & Girls clubs hold for children and families across the country, I take special pride in supporting them through my charitable efforts on the LPGA Tour,” Ms. Gulbis said. “I plan to log as many steps as possible during the Horizon Walking and Wellness Challenge to help the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City,” she said.“We are grateful to Horizon and Natalie Gulbis for their generous support,” said Sam Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. “Horizon’s commitment to the club and Natalie’s passion for helping us through the Horizon Walking and Wellness Challenge will help our club thrive and serve the children who depend on us.”Ms. Gulbis will start her fund-raising step count on Friday, May 29 as golfers begin play for the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. Ms. Gulbis will provide a summary of her steps and other commentary through updates on her twitter account, @natalie_gulbis, through the end of play on Sunday, May 31.“The support our partners provide to this community is an important part of this event,” said tournament director Leela Narang. “We’re proud to collaborate with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and assist them in their support of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City.”Since the LPGA started tracking charitable contributions in 1981, the cumulative donations from the LPGA and LPGA Tour events has totaled more than $200 million, $28 million of which comes from the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer.As the 2015 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer gets underway, getting close to the action will be as easy and affordable for Horizon BCBSNJ members. On Saturday and Sunday, Horizon members will receive a free admission for two by showing their health insurance ID card at the Main Entrance Gate. About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseyHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.About the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by AcerThe ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer is one of the largest and most prestigious events on the LPGA tour. It is held annually in Atlantic City and features 144 of the world's best female golfers competing over three rounds for a $1.5 million purse. The event, owned and operated by Eiger Marketing Group, is held on the Bay Course at prestigious Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club. The 2015 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer will be held May 25-31.