Tribune staff reports
An area financial services organization recently received an award for its fundraising efforts to help fight childhood cancer.
During the company’s annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Northwestern Mutual Indianapolis office was named most exceptional for its efforts and also received a $50,000 grant.
More than 200 volunteers and Dave Kiecker, managing partner of the Indianapolis office, raised $118,000 for childhood cancer programs in their community, hosting various activities, including sports tournaments, to support local hospitals.
Matthew Carothers, a company representative in Columbus, helped support the regional campaign efforts. He serves the Seymour area, is a member of the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce and has clients living in Seymour. A donation was made to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in celebration of his 25th anniversary with Northwestern Mutual.
The company’s other top fundraisers were offices in Skokie, Illinois; Salt Lake City; and Charleston, West Virginia.
In addition, four Northwestern Mutual offices across the country were recognized as recipients of the company’s second annual Childhood Cancer Impact Awards for their outstanding commitment to local nonprofits focused on childhood cancer research and family support. They received $200,000 for their work through the company.
Overall, Northwestern Mutual raised more than $515,000 in less than two months. That will fund 10,300 hours of childhood cancer research for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
To date, the foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charity, has raised more than $100 million toward fulfilling Alexandra “Alex” Scott’s dream of finding a cure, funding more than 500 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. Alex, who started a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer, died from cancer in 2004.
Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.2 million people by providing insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services.