Dec 13, 2021

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island names 2021 BlueAngel of the Year

Sarah Murray selected by BCBSRI peers for volunteerism and commitment to the community

PROVIDENCE, RI (December 13, 2021)  Sarah Murray, of Millbury, Mass., has been named Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s (BCBSRI) 2021 BlueAngel of the Year. Murray was nominated by her peers in recognition of her dedication to the company’s commitment to community investment. This year alone, Murray, an executive assistant at BCBSRI, has volunteered for nine different nonprofit organizations, several of which are long-term commitments.

“Sarah’s energy and creativity for community involvement are infectious,” said Carolyn Belisle, BCBSRI managing director of corporate social responsibility (CSR). “She is a passionate leader for important causes who creates excitement around engaging in volunteer work. She selflessly gives her time, energy and passion both at BCBSRI and in her community.”

Murray serves as a member of the BCBSRI BlueAngel Advisory Council, a group of associates from all across the organization who lend their time, talent and expertise to build successful community investment initiatives alongside the CSR department. Additionally, this year Murray served as a Blue across RI captain, leading a team of 20 volunteers to create 25 beautifully painted murals for the Raices Dual Language Academy school yard in Central Falls, as part of the Recess Rocks in Rhode Island partnership with Playworks. Belisle noted that Murray’s positive attitude and leadership proved crucial to her Blue across RI team’s success under challenging weather conditions.

Murray also served as a 2021 “Gobble Games” captain, helping her colleagues to raise $9,000 for the RI Community Food Bank — which BCBSRI matched for a total donation of $19,000. Up next for Murray is leading a team of BCBSRI colleagues to wrap holiday gifts at Adoption RI.

In addition to leading, Murray has taken a special interest in causes related to literacy. After volunteering to read virtually to children in the community through Connecting for Children and Families, she organized a book drive within her division to support literacy among Rhode Island’s children, delivering more than 100 books to the organization.

Since its inception in 2011, the BlueAngel of the Year program honors BCBSRI employees who make a difference in their communities through passionate participation in the BlueAngel Community Investment Program. At the ceremony announcing Murray as the 2021 BlueAngel of the Year, BCBSRI awarded a $500 grant to her nonprofit of choice, Amos House, in honor of her recognition.