Supporting women in crisis: Regence employees make a difference in Utah
Regence employees, from left, Maggie Patterson, Marion Herzog, Nanette Short, Andrea Garry volunteer for Candy Cane Lane, YWCA Utah's annual holiday event.
In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), we're celebrating something that happens year-round at Regence: employees showing up for their communities in meaningful ways.
For women and families across Utah who are facing crises that upend their lives, domestic violence, homelessness or legal challenges can strip away safety, stability and dignity. A safe place to heal and access supportive services can mean the difference between despair and a path forward. That's where YWCA Utah steps in and where Regence employees are making a difference.
Supporting women and families through crisis
YWCA Utah empowers women and families through programs that promote equity, security and independence. Their Salt Lake City campus serves as a comprehensive support center with 120 residential units, a cafeteria, preschool and kindergarten programs, and after-school care for children through fifth grade. The organization receives over 600 calls for help each month from people in crisis.
Our corporate foundation, Cambia Health Foundation, understands that safety and stability are critical elements of health and well-being. That’s why they partner with YWCA Utah, supporting their work through grants and employee volunteerism.
A holiday store like no other
One of YWCA Utah's signature programs is Candy Cane Lane, an annual holiday event. For one week each December, mothers staying at the shelter can shop for their children. The "store" is stocked entirely through community donations: bikes, winter jackets, shoes, toys, gift cards and more.
Regence employee Andrea Garry, who serves on YWCA Utah's board, volunteers during the event alongside other colleagues. They help mothers navigate the shopping experience and wrap gifts. Last year's event brought together over 2,500 donated gifts and 250 volunteers.
"The best part is getting to interact with the moms and hear their stories and challenges," Garry said. "There's often crying — both from the impact of their stories on us and from the relief the moms feel in sharing them."
When it hits home
A moment from last year's Candy Cane Lane event left a lasting impression. A mother who had escaped domestic violence offered to make tamales for the volunteers.
"She had such a big heart, thinking of others when she could have focused only on herself," Garry said. "That's the kind of strength and generosity you see there all the time."
Garry’s commitment to service started early. Her mother founded a charity in northern California helping women dress for job interviews and return to work, showing her firsthand how support services can transform lives.
"I get more back from volunteering than I give," she said. "I've been given so much. If I can help change even one person's life, it's worth it."
She sees the impact extend beyond individual service. "Colleagues who volunteer bring that perspective back to their work. It influences how we treat our members. We're not just a health insurance company—we genuinely care about our community, and that's powerful."
Turning commitment into action
At Regence, we believe in supporting the communities where we live, work and play, and we empower our employees to do the same. The community engagement team through our corporate foundation connects them to organizations like YWCA Utah, while programs like Dollars for Doers — which turns volunteer hours into $20 donations that employees give to causes they care about — makes it easy to get involved.
Garry's advice to anyone considering volunteering? "People ask me where I find the time. I think, how do I not find the time to give back? You get more than you give."
This National Volunteer Week, find your way to make an impact. Explore volunteer opportunities with YWCA Utah and join Regence employees like Andrea who show up for our members and communities.
