Highmark West Virginia and West Virginia Black Bears team up for Ks for Kids to Benefit Mountaineer Area Council, BSA

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (June 23, 2023) – Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia and West Virginia Black Bears will support Mountaineer Area Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) through the 9^th annual Ks for Kids program. Ks for Kids is a joint partnership between Highmark West Virginia and the Black Bears in which Highmark West Virginia makes a donation for every strikeout thrown by a Black Bears pitcher at Monongalia County Ballpark this season.

“Through our annual Ks for Kids program, Highmark West Virginia and West Virginia Black Bears have the unique opportunity to partner with community-based nonprofit initiatives that positively impact our youth on the local level,” said Highmark West Virginia President Jim Fawcett. “We hope through this support of Mountaineer Area Council, BSA that scouts will continue forming solid foundations of leadership, community, and health, setting them up for successful futures through this great program.”

Mountaineer Area Council, BSA serves Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, and Upshur counties. It offers programing for Scouting, including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and will soon offer Exploring as well. The mission of the BSA is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law,” and it serves nearly 1,000 youth in over 40 Packs, Troops and Crews in north central West Virginia.

"We are honored to be part of Highmark West Virginia’s Ks for Kids program this season, as this funding will benefit Scouts in their personal development as future leaders of their communities, right here in West Virginia,” said Amy Garbrick, vice president of program at Mountaineer Area Council, BSA.

This is the ninth year that Highmark West Virginia has partnered with the minor league baseball organization as part of the Ks for Kids program. Since 2015, $20,000 has been awarded through Ks for Kids to local, community-based organizations in the North Central region of the state. A check presentation will take place on the field during a game later this summer, and a special Scout Night is set to take place at the stadium Saturday, July 15.

“The Black Bears team is pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with Highmark West Virginia,” said Trevor Dolan. “Each year, this program benefits so many youth in our area, and we are thrilled to play a small part in supporting these young scouts as they become future leaders right here in our community.”

The West Virginia Black Bears play in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft League and are the reigning MLB Draft League Champions. The team’s season is officially underway, and the players will play for the Ks for Kids program through August.