Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has provided 17 Greater Worcester nonprofits $20,000 from its Community Spirit 9/11 grant program.
The Wellesley healthcare provider launched the charity in 2002 for members who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It allows each employee annually to award a $500 foundation grant to the nonprofit of her or his choice.
Since its inception, employees have directed more than $6.5 million to thousands of New England charities.
“The program is a wonderful way to support our employees as philanthropists and to help them make an impact in their communities,”said Karen Voci, president of the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation in a statement.
Last year, 96% of Harvard Pilgrim employees participated in at least one form of service or giving through volunteering, the mini-grants program, or Harvard Pilgrim’s annual employee fundraising campaign, Voci said.
The organizations receiving funds this year are:
- AIDS Project Worcester, $4,000
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Worcester, $500
- Flagg Street School, Worcester, $500
- Girls, Inc. of Worcester, $2,000
- Massachusetts 4 District Senior Softball,, which includes Holden, Clinton, Boylston, West Boylston, Paxton, Rutland, Berlin, and Sterling, $500
- Minority Achievers Program, YMCA of Central MA, Worcester $500
- Our Lady of Chestochowa, Worcester, $500
- Project New Hope, Worcester, $1,000
- Rainbow Child Development Center, Worcester, $500
- St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, Worcester, $500
- St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Worcester, $500
- Veteran’s Inc., Worcester, $3,500
- Why Me & Sherry’s House, Worcester, $1,500
- Worcester Animal Rescue League, $2,500
- Worcester Cowboys Football and Cheerleading, $500
- Worcester Technical High School, $500
- Worcester Youth Center Inc., $500
