BlueCross employees are committed to serving their communities. Each year, they give thousands of hours of their time to the causes that matter to them.
We spoke to two of our TeamBlue volunteers, Suzanne Ruddick and Stephanie Jacobs, about why they like to give back, the organizations they support and how serving their communities can have a positive impact.
A difference made with meals
Suzanne is a supervisor in case management and has been with BlueCross for almost eight years.
This year, Suzanne volunteered at Love Global through her church, serving alongside many others by packing meals for those in need. Love Global is a community of volunteers who work together to pack 100,000 meals to help alleviate hunger.
“Packing 100,000 meals was not just a task, but an opportunity to extend compassion and support to those in need,” Suzanne says.
Partnering with Love Global allowed Suzanne to contribute to a cause that resonates deeply with her— helping ensure children and families have access to nutritious food.
“I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families,” she says. “The experience was incredibly rewarding, and it reinforced my commitment to helping others and fostering a sense of community and care.”
“Volunteering contributes to positive change and creates a ripple effect of kindness, ultimately strengthening our local communities,” she says.
A cheer-section champion
Stephanie Jacobs is a senior recruiter in talent acquisition and has been with BlueCross for almost 11 years.
This year, Stephanie volunteered with the Austin Hatcher Foundation, an organization that provides educational, social and mental health services to families during and after a childhood cancer diagnosis.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation allows Stephanie to help her community at the local level. She participated in the Bubbles of Fun Run, an event to raise funds for families dealing with pediatric cancer.
“A friend and I were placed near the finish line to direct participants,” Stephanie says. “Cheering people on as they headed toward the finish line was so much fun and an exciting way to serve this organization.”
Stephanie also assists with giving campus tours for BlueSky Institute, an accelerated computing degree program created by BlueCross. She has also helped with events for SWITCH Academy, a program that supports young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I enjoy being a part of something that helps out in the community,” Stephanie says. “I have enjoyed getting to meet co-workers that I might not ordinarily meet. At each event, I have learned something more about each organization and what they do. Being part of their efforts and making a difference in families’ lives is a great feeling.”
Marie is a senior Public Relations and Advertising major at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. She joined the BlueCross corporate communications team as an intern in July 2024.