Capital BlueCross has played a significant role in the mission of JA, providing both funding and volunteers for in-class programs and JA BizTown. This school year Capital BlueCross placed 12 employees in 16 different classrooms.  Each employee took approximately five hours out of their scheduled workday to conduct an in-class program.  These volunteers come from different backgrounds, but all value the need to promote financial literacy to students and provide them with real-life work experience to spark an interest in their individual futures. 

Gerry Garber, sales manager at Capital BlueCross, is a veteran volunteer to the in-class programs.  Gerry conducted a 2^nd grade and a 4^th grade program this year, and finds his JA involvement to be an enjoyable community activity.  He loves how anxious the students are to see him each session, which is one of the many rewarding aspects of teaching a JA class.

Megan Aschenbrenner, an account manager working directly with the decision makers of employers that purchase healthcare coverage from Capital BlueCross, is brand new to JA.  A native to the Camp Hill School District, Megan attended high school in Camp Hill and is now teaching a JA class at one of the local elementary schools.  She loves how excited the students get when she conducts each lesson and feels that the lessons are right on target with what the children can comprehend.  Megan is quoted saying, “I wish JA came to my school when I was young.”

Perrise Hatcher is yet another one of Capital BlueCross’ volunteers.  She is a Sales Coordinator who assists the Sales Executives with all of their duties.  Her experiences at a Dallastown elementary school are numerous.  Perrise believes, “It is a wonderful and worthwhile program that gives you a great deal of satisfaction.   All companies should be involved in some way.”  She also thinks these programs really get children thinking about their role in life and what they want to be when they get older.

Another veteran to the JA volunteer world is John Kulp, a Regional Sales Consultant overseeing Capital BlueCross’ sales and services and a local graduate of Susquenita High School and Susquehanna University. Kulp conducts the third grade JA program each year at Newport Elementary School.  Kulp became involved with JA after  hearing about the positive experience his manager had, volunteering for JA. Kulp says, “It’s one of the best things I have ever done.  The students learn from you, but you also learn a lot from the students.  The whole experience has been nothing but positive for me.”  He believes that the positive influence and mentoring ability the volunteer has on the students “is huge in itself” and “a necessity to survive in a world that’s not always easy.”

Bob Grochalski, a sale director responsible for team members at Capital BlueCross, also gets involved because of the joy he has for teaching the third graders. Bob says, “Some of the children’s answers really amaze me since their minds are so open to ideas and unique thoughts.”  He also thinks the mentoring experience really stresses the importance of staying in school and helps the volunteer appreciate the impact the teacher has.

Capital BlueCross is continually making a difference not only in the lives of children but also with their employees.  Each JA volunteer is strongly encouraged by Capital BlueCross to participate with the in-class programs. With the volunteers they provided this year, JA reached over 400 students in the Harrisburg & York areas. 

Special thanks to: Jodi Clymans, Karen Keen, Autumn Lang, Damien Golden, Beth Schwartzbauer, Bob Grochalski, Gerry Garber, Kim Artley, John Kulp, Megan Aschenbrenner, Patricia Elgin, Amy Wood, and Capital BlueCross for volunteering your time this year to increase and promote financial literacy and workforce development to today’s youth.