MARSHFIELD — Security Health Plan has awarded $500 each to two local charities, Central Wisconsin Gift of Life and Frederic Ozanam Transitional Shelter, as part of its new Employee Giving Program.

The Employee Giving Program encourages Security Health Plan employees to nominate charitable organizations making a healthy difference in their communities.

“We’re very pleased to have received such excellent applications in this first round of awards for the Security Health Plan Employee Giving Program,” said Julie Brussow, CEO of Security Health Plan. “Central Wisconsin Gift of Life and Frederic Ozanam Transitional Shelter are two organizations that fit perfectly with our goals to contribute to the health and well-being of those within the communities we serve.”

Central Wisconsin Gift of Life, nominated by Sara Solinsky and Cindy Dischinger, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation. Solinsky, a kidney transplant recipient, founded the organization along with her kidney donor, Marshfield Clinic Optometrist Jill Dillon. Dischinger also is an organ transplant recipient.

The Security Health Plan contribution will support two efforts, Solinsky said:

—Restoring Hope Transplant House, which provides transplant patients and caregivers with a comfortable, affordable, and caring environment.

—University of Wisconsin’s Donor Education Fund, which sponsors a 30-minute educational awareness program for participants in any Wisconsin driver education class.

Frederic Ozanam Transitional Shelter, nominated by Josh Weisbrod, provides transitional housing, vocational skills training, and case management services to homeless families in the Marshfield area.

The Security Health Plan contribution will go towards continued improvements of Frederic Ozanam Transitional Shelter during its second year of service, Weisbrod said.

Donations on behalf of Security Health Plan employees are awarded to charitable organizations every other month as part of the Employee Giving Program.