Independence Blue Cross, showcasing its longstanding commitment to children and families of Philadelphia, is now the Official Health and Wellness Partner of the iconic Please Touch Museum.

IBX’s multiyear partnership includes the renaming of the museum’s beloved Carousel House, home to the historic Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel, to the Independence Blue Cross Carousel House — with visual enhancements to the space forthcoming. Additionally, IBX, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, and Keystone First will continue to support the museum’s Ready-Set-School program, designed to provide children and families with museum-based experiences to reinforce academic, physical, and social emotional learning during the summer months to better prepare children for a successful transition to school in the fall.

Patricia D. Wellenbach, the President and CEO of the Please Touch Museum, shared the announcement with supporters onsite during the Imagination Ball as Independence Blue Cross President and CEO Gregory E. Deavens received the Corporate Philanthropy Partner Award on behalf of the organization. IBX has provided longstanding support of the museum dating back to a leadership gift in 2008 that was instrumental in the museum’s move to Memorial Hall.

Since that time, the partnership between IBX and the museum has deepened, including sponsorship of four PHL PreK Move Up Days recognizing children who completed the City of Philadelphia’s free pre-K program with a “graduation’ celebration and field trip to the museum. IBX also sponsored Ready-Set-School, which provided seven free admission Community Days for nearly 17,000 children and families during the summers of 2022 and 2023.

“We are grateful to continue our longstanding relationship with Independence Blue Cross in this deeply meaningful way,” said Wellenbach. “IBX is a pillar of the Philadelphia community and committed to supporting families where they live, work, and play. This multi-year collaboration will allow us to create more opportunities for children and families to live happier, healthier, and more play-filled lives. We appreciate IBX’s continued investment in the community and supporting the museum’s mission of changing a child’s life as they discover the power of learning through play.”

“Independence Blue Cross has been committed to supporting the Greater Philadelphia community for more than 85 years,” said Deavens. “The Please Touch Museum is one of nation’s premier places for children to learn while they play, and we’re excited to further our longtime partnership, especially being part of the beloved 100-year-old Carousel House. We’re also pleased to continue to support Ready-Set-School, whose popularity is a testament to the museum’s innovative approach to help our community’s children prepare for a healthy return to school.”

The museum will begin the process of making visual enhancements to the now Independence Blue Cross Carousel House. This space encloses the historic Dentzel Carousel built in the early 1900s, featuring hand-carved animals, stationary chariots, and an array of 1,296 lights. Additionally, the Museum and IBX will continue the Ready-Set-School program, including three free admission Community Days on the last Sundays of June, July, and August over the next five years. Summer 2024 welcomes the program’s third annual program series and will enhance the museum’s ongoing programmatic focus, “A Playful World.” The series will infuse themes of creativity, compassion, confidence, and curiosity into engaging activities that build academic, physical, and social emotional skills essential to school-readiness. This year’s Ready-Set-School dates are June 30, July 28, and August 25.

Learn more about how Independence Blue Cross strives for your health and wellness by giving you the resources you need to live every day better.