NEWARK, NJ — The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, announced on Thursday, April 7, that it has made a $25,000 contribution to the Newark Water Fund to help provide bottled water for Newark Public Schools and children, test thousands of students for lead exposure and provide health-related services. Horizon BCBSNJ employees will be donating cases of bottled water for Newark at their work locations and will make financial gifts to support the Newark Water Fund. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey will match employees’ monetary donations through the company’s Matching Gifts Program.
“Newark public schools and the thousands of children who attend them need the support of the entire Newark community as they contend with lead contamination in their drinking water,” said Jonathan R. Pearson, executive director, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “Our company has been a corporate citizen of Newark for 84 years and many of our employees live in the city and have family members who are directly impacted by the lead in the water crisis. Newark is our home and we’re committed to protecting the health and safety of our neighbors.”
The Newark Water Fund was created by United Way of Essex and West Hudson, which is coordinating the purchasing of clean water for the impacted children, as well as student testing and other services.
“United Way is grateful to Horizon and its employees for stepping up to generously support the Newark Water Fund and address the health and safe drinking water needs of thousands of Newark school children,” said Catherine Wilson, chief executive officer of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson. “By supporting this endeavor, Horizon leads the way in supporting our students through good corporate citizenship.”
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