CHICAGO ­– The Chicago White Sox announced a multiyear agreement, naming Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) as the first-ever presenting sponsor of the White Sox Volunteer Corps.

Founded in 2009, the award-winning volunteer program unites the team’s networks and resources to support the community through service. The Volunteer Corps welcomes support from front office and BCBSIL staff, White Sox executives, coaches, players, ambassadors and more than 5,400 fan volunteers to give back through community outreach events.

“We’re proud to partner with the Chicago White Sox to amplify the effectiveness of our volunteer programs,” said Stephanie Peden-Fox, BCBSIL manager of community relations. “Last year, our employees volunteered more than 45,000 hours of their time, and this year, we’re planning to do even more to improve the lives of Chicagoans through our service and support of our communities.”

The White Sox Volunteer Corps and BCBSIL launch the new partnership by holding a school beatification event with City Year on Saturday, May 14 at Cook Elementary School, a Chicago Public School in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. Volunteers of all ages are invited to register for the event at whitesox.com/volunteercorps.

“We are grateful to our partners at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois who share our longstanding commitment to making Chicagoland a better place to live, work and play, and willingness to help rally the sweat equity needed to expand our impact through the Volunteer Corps,” said Christine O’Reilly, White Sox vice president of community relations and Chicago White Sox Charities executive director. “For the first time in the program’s history, we have the support of a partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to enrich every service opportunity and create a healthier, safer and more connected community at home in Chicago.”

From renovations and cleanup projects at schools and parks, to food distribution events and gift deliveries to children’s hospitals, the new BCBSIL partnership helps the Volunteer Corps enhance programming for organizations and nonprofits across Chicagoland and beyond.

Created in response to a call for Americans to better their community through service, the Volunteer Corps has mobilized thousands to stand shoulder to shoulder, providing more than 55,000 hours of community service at nearly 550 community events and an estimated labor value that has surpassed $1.25 million on initiatives that spread goodwill to those most in need.

For more information on the White Sox Volunteer Corps, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and to register for upcoming service events, visit whitesox.com/volunteercorps.