05
June
2014
|
10:50 AM
America/New_York

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and LPGA pro Karen Stupples raise an additional $4,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City through pedometer challenge

 The Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Pedometer Challenge, held this past weekend during the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, raised another $4,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City and its First Tee of Greater Atlantic City program. LPGA player and Golf Channel commentator Karen Stupples undertook the challenge, recording 38,415 steps on her pedometer/Fitbit during her coverage of the three-day tournament at Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway Township.When announcing the fitness and charitable challenge with Ms. Stupples last Thursday, Horizon BCBSNJ made an initial commitment of $5,000 -- $2,500 each for the Boys & Girls Club and the First Tee Club. Thanks to Ms. Stupples steps - which covered 16.4 miles -- the total gift has been boosted to $9,000."We are very excited that we were able to nearly double our donation, thanks to Karen's efforts this past weekend," said Jonathan R. Pearson, Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Affairs for Horizon BCBSNJ and Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. "Karen has shown us that simple fitness activities like walking can bring about great change in personal health and, in this case, the financial health of important community organization and programs."Last month, the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City announced that it lacked the funding resources needed to keep its doors open and programs running for hundreds of local children. The donation from Horizon -- a long-time annual sponsor of the golf event at Stockton Seaview -- will help the club address its operational funding woes while supporting its First Tee program. The First Tee program helps club members develop into golfers, or just enjoy the health and recreational benefits of the sport."Generous donations like those from Horizon allow us to provide our children with quality programs that help them thrive and we are extremely grateful for Horizon's support," said Joseph Corbo, a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City's Board of Trustees. "We thank Karen for being so gracious and passionate about helping organizations in need and rising to this pedometer challenge."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, $27 million of which comes from the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer.About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer, is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health services corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving 3.7 million members with headquarters in Newark and offices in Wall, Mt. Laurel, and West Trenton. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.comAbout The Horizon Foundation for New JerseyThe Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is celebrating 10 years of serving New Jersey's communities. The Foundation promotes health, well-being, and quality of life across our state by supporting charitable organizations. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.horizonblue.com/foundation.