Highmark walk raises more than $120,000 for Lehigh Valley nonprofits

Highmark recently hosted a Walk for a Healthy Community at DeSales University to raise funds for a number of nonprofits in the region. What was goal for the health insurer? 

“People are always looking for meaningful ways to connect, contribute, and make a difference. Innovative community outreach opportunities not only caters to a wide range of interests but also keeps the spirit of community engagement fresh and exciting,” said Highmark Vice President of Community Affairs in Eastern Pa., Kathy McKenzie.  “The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is a prime example of this.” 

She said the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, a cornerstone of our Highmark Bright Blue Futures program, began in 2003 in Pittsburgh. 

The initiative stemmed from a desire to create a streamlined and impactful fundraising platform for multiple local non-profit organizations.   

“We observed that many smaller non-profits in our communities lacked the resources or infrastructure to host large-scale fundraising events independently,” McKenzie said. “By organizing a single, well-supported event, Highmark could leverage its resources and reach to benefit numerous organizations simultaneously.” 

McKenzie said this approach not only maximizes fundraising potential for the participating non-profits but also cultivates community collaboration and shared purpose.   

Highmark hosts and fully funds each event, and participants can select the non-profit organization they wish to support. The non-profits then retain 100% of the funds raised by their participants to use in future community programs and initiatives. 

Following its initial success, the program expanded to various locations across Pennsylvania and Delaware, including the Lehigh Valley in 2005. 

Since its inception, the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community events combined have raised over $21 million for more than 560 health and human service non-profit organizations.  

McKenzie said the Lehigh Valley event was a success. 

 “We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the incredible enthusiasm from participants, volunteers, and the participating nonprofits,” she said. “We were able to raise more than $120,000 for the participating nonprofits.” 

Non-profits can apply for the 2027 Highmark Walk – Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community Application. 

McKenzie said Highmark’s initiatives are primarily driven by the Highmark Bright Blue Futures corporate giving and community involvement program and the Highmark Foundation. 

“Through these programs, we aim to support community health and resilience across our service areas, including the Lehigh Valley. We believe in fostering partnerships among non-profits, healthcare providers, and community leaders to collaboratively address complex community challenges,” she said.  “We invest in initiatives within these areas that remove barriers, build secure foundations, and create lasting opportunities for well-being throughout the Lehigh Valley.”