RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Detroit Lions Announce 2023 #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Winner
Teddy Wingert
| 2 min read
DETROIT, Nov. 20, 2023 — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan today announced the winner of the ninth annual #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIPSweepstakes: 10-year-old Keala Paulus from West Bloomfield, Mich. Paulus will have the experience of a lifetime, riding on Blue Cross’ float in America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® presented by Gardner White, escorting the gameday football to Ford Field for the annual Thanksgiving Day Classic, and being hosted to watch the Detroit Lions take on the Green Bay Packers.
Paulus’ Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes prize package will also include a custom jersey and commemorative football, 10 club seats for her family to watch the game and a special Thanksgiving dinner served at Ford Field. The sweepstakes supports Blue Cross’ ongoing commitment to children’s physical fitness and good nutrition through its #MIKidsCan campaign and ongoing partnership with the Detroit Lions’ Play 60 program. Over 6,600 kids entered this year's sweepstakes.
“Blue Cross is thrilled to congratulate Keala and her family for winning this year’s Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes,” said Andrew Hetzel, vice president of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Keala is an exceptionally active kid, playing volleyball and basketball at her school while also loving to swim, ice skate, roller blade, ski, snowboard and golf — wow! She’s an admirable representative of our #MIKidsCan program, which is committed to improving children’s health and well-being. We are thrilled Keala will be able to have an incredibly special Thanksgiving this year and celebrate with her family at the Annual Thanksgiving Day Classic at Ford Field in partnership with the Detroit Lions.”
Over the last 19 years, Blue Cross has provided over $10 million to support kids’ health and wellness initiatives across the state through the groundbreaking Building Healthy Communities program. The grants have helped more than 1,200 Michigan schools reach 538,000 children with sustainable programs focused on the importance of daily activity and healthy food choices. For more information on the sweepstakes or Blue Cross’ ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit AHealthierMichigan.org/MIKidsCan or follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for over 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.
