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Press Releases: 2010

Back-to-School Event Draws a Record Crowd

Select Health's First Choice Community Center serves the needs of local families

Scorching temperatures could not keep more than 750 people from attending Select Health of South Carolina’s Back-to-School ‘Jump Start’ event on Saturday, July 24. The ‘Jump Start’ was held at the First Choice Community Center and included health information and screenings as well as free school supplies and clothing for children of all ages. 

“The First Choice Community Center is a local resource, and we were pleased to provide assistance so many families in the Midlands this year,” said Select Health’s Regional Director of Marketing, Lillian Suarez.  “The economic downturn has had an extreme effect on our community. The Back-to-School event was a way for parents to get a jump start on their children’s school supplies and clothing to make the start of a new school year more affordable and less stressful.”

Of the 750 attendees, 570 were children who enjoyed meeting Richland County DARE officers while receiving complimentary fingerprinting services before getting their school supplies. As families waited to get inside to join the festivities, children had the opportunity to sign up for a chance to win one of several new backpacks being raffled throughout the day.   

The First Choice Community Center is a resource for Columbia-area residents to learn more about their healthcare options and other programs and services offered by Select Health. Other community support was provided by Eau Claire Health Care, Care Line, Kid's 1st Dental, Small Smiles Dental, Richland School District One, Richland County Library, One Stop, Operation Love, PASOS and the TRIO Program.

About Select Health
Incorporated in 1995, Select Health was licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization by the South Carolina Department of Insurance in 1996.  Later that year, the company contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to offer First Choice, the state’s first Medicaid health plan.  Select Health is South Carolina’s largest Medicaid health plan and is a wholly owned subsidiary of AmeriHealth Mercy.  The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies touches the lives of more than 6.5 million members nationwide.