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Through our Commitment to our Community initiative, PPO USA team members adopt and support charities in the Kansas City area every year. In 2018, our team worked with Blair’s Foster Socks, which was created in honor of Blair Michaela Shanahan Lane, who was killed at age 11 by a stray bullet shot from a firearm during a nearby July 4th celebration. Blair’s mother, Michele, advocates for children in distressed situations by encouraging thousands to donate socks, clothing and other basic necessities to children in need, particularly in the foster system.

“At Blair’s Foster Socks, we do more than hand out socks for kids,” Michele said. “Our mission is to bring comfort and hope to children in distressed situations in Kansas City and beyond. When you donate a simple pair of fun socks for a child to call their own, the child is reassured that tomorrow will be a better day.”

This was the third year that PPO USA has adopted Blair’s Foster Socks. We were able to donate over 700 pairs of socks. “The story of Blair’s Foster Socks touched our hearts, seeing how passionate Blair was about helping others and how she was taken too soon,” said Shanea Lee, National Accounts Support Specialist. “True joy lies in the act of giving without an expectation of receiving something in return. The potential for strengthening people and our community through giving back to society is huge and something that we all need to consider looking into.”

The PPO USA team also donated their time to the Ronald McDonald Family Room. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City is a special place where families can rest and still be close to their child. The Family Room offers a comfortable home-like setting, including a living room area with a television, a fully equipped kitchen and a quiet room for conversation and phone calls. The Family Room has seven bedrooms for napping, showers and a laundry facility. PPO USA team members prepare and serve lunch to parents and family members who have a child being cared for at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

“I try to do everything I can to support Ronald McDonald House, whether it’s collecting pop tabs, attending events or helping the families,” said Joy Dendish, National Operations Manager. “They were there for my family during a difficult time, and it is rewarding to be able to help others to ease some of their stress.”

Our parent company, GEHA, has been named one of the best companies to work for in Kansas City by Ingram’s magazine, and we couldn’t be more proud! There are very good reasons why GEHA, a leading provider of health and dental benefits for civilian federal employees, has an average employee tenure of 10 years, and why more than a quarter of the staff has been with the company for at least 15 years. Many of them can be found in the company's Total Rewards philosophy, which CEO Julie Browne says "is fundamental in attracting and retaining an advantage in a highly competitive human-capital marketplace." Read more.