Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield awards a $750,000 grant to Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation to expand engagement in hockey programs

PITTSBURGH (September 22, 2022) – Elected officials and representatives of the Pittsburgh Penguins joined Highmark at a press conference today to announce a $750,000 grant to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. The grant supports the Foundation’s Hunt Armory Ice Hockey rink, where it offers community programming that promotes mentorship, teaching and access for various groups and individuals throughout the region.

“Highmark has a strong history of community involvement,” said Kenya T. Boswell, senior vice president of Community Affairs for Highmark Health. “We value partnerships with impactful organizations like the Penguins Foundation, as we believe working together is critical to achieving lasting positive outcomes. Grants like the one today demonstrate our strategy of Highmark Bright Blue Futures in action.”

The Hunt Armory Ice Rink serves as the city of Pittsburgh’s first indoor community ice rink in the last 25 years. It is home to league leading diversity and community programming as well as public skating. In its first 90 days of operation in 2021, more than 12,500 attendees utilized the rink and its programming.

“We are grateful for Highmark’s support of the Hunt Armory and the community groups we are serving through this facility,” said Kevin Acklin, president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. “This funding benefits families, schools, afterschool groups, and many more as we are able to offer free skating and hockey programming all winter long, making a positive impact on thousands of people that visit us.”

Highmark Bright Blue Futures is designed to ensure healthier, brighter, stronger futures for all, and the program focuses on improving equitable access to care, quality of life, and economic resilience in the communities the enterprise serves. Specifically, this program aims to improve outcomes in two critical areas: Community Health and Community and Economic Resilience through corporate giving and employee volunteerism.

For more information about Highmark Bright Blue Futures, visit www.highmark.com/brightbluefutures