Well into the future

by Dale Bohren
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 9:22 AM MDT

It all began in 1958 on the tip of a cotton swab.

Individuals concerned with rampant strep throat and the resulting rheumatic fever organized a swabbing program in grade schools. Kids would line up one morning every week to be swabbed by volunteer parents.

Twenty four hours later, those who were positive for strep were taken by their mom to the doctor for a shot of penicillin. I remember lots of kids came back positive, including me.

The result was a decline in the number of cases of rheumatic fever and other related diseases.

Staffed and organized by volunteers, this was the first community-wide effort coordinated by the organization that became known as the Blue Envelope Health Fund. The young organization got its name and identity from little blue envelopes used to solicit donations. The blue envelopes are still in use today.

This year, Blue Envelope celebrates 50 years since that first swab, of promoting wellness in Natrona County! The organization has expanded over the years to address four major areas: heart, cancer, mental health and wellness.

The organization has addressed countless large and small health issues. It has supported partners like the Wyoming Medical Center, Hospice, Central Wyoming Counseling and Rocky Mountain Oncology and many others with needed medical equipment, external defibrillators, patient financial assistance, continuing education for health care professionals, CPR training and, of course, volunteers and throat swabs.

But Blue Envelope probably is best known for its annual Blue Envelope Health Expo, which coincidently is celebrating its 35th birthday this Saturday, March 29, at the Casper Events Center.

As you likely know, people of all ages are invited to participate in health and wellness screenings. It is a worthy event and every year there are stories about individuals who learned of some dramatic change in their health as a result of attending the Blue Envelope Health Expo. Everybody who attends receives some benefit.

Blue Envelope is a shining example of what a volunteer organization can accomplish. It truly is successful because of all those little blue envelopes and their many long-term, dedicated volunteers. Their collective effort benefits everybody.

As they celebrate two birthdays this week, join me in thanking them for their good work and wishing them a Happy Birthday and good health, as their motto says, “Well into the future.”

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