Philanthropic team building brings smiles to hospitalized kids
Team building and philanthropic passion intersected when Northwestern Mutual-Chicago financial professionals, spouses, children and friends spent a Saturday assembling gift bags and making personal greeting cards. The impact - more than 200 hospitalized children at The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital received care packages filled with goodies from books and games to warm, fuzzy socks and lip balm. Handmade cards sent well wishes, hope and notes of positivity.
"Kids are kids, and they deserve their days to be filled with laughter, love and joy," said Corey D. McQuade, managing partner. "If we can take their minds off their illness for one small moment and bring a smile to their face and lift their spirits, then we know we are making a difference."
Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual has funded more than 98,000 hours of lifesaving research. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation, in partnership with financial representatives and employees nationwide, has collectively contributed more than $10 million for the cause.
The local outreach with Comer's Children's Hospital was organized by the Northwestern Mutual-Chicago Childhood Cancer Impact Committee, a team of 13 financial professionals who are working together to lead the financial planning firm's philanthropic efforts.
For the past three months the firm collected donations recommended by the hospital staff. The office was overflowing with puzzles, friendship bracelets, stuffed animals, coloring books, movie theater tickets, and other goodies. More than 150 volunteers gathered on a Saturday at the network office in downtown Chicago to help assemble the bags and design personal greeting cards.
The firm also hosted a lemonade stand that raised $200 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. In the past two years, Northwestern Mutual-Chicago has raised more than $130,000 hosting lemonade stands, participating in office events, charity runs and holding a golf outing. Those efforts have helped to fund more than 2,600 hours and advance the work of childhood cancer researchers.
The Northwestern Mutual-Chicago Childhood Cancer Impact Committee includes Northwestern Mutual-Chicago's Rosemont team members Molly Martin, director of recruitment and selection, and Jim Stinson, field director and financial advisor.
About Northwestern Mutual-Chicago
Northwestern Mutual-Chicago is a leading Chicago-based financial planning firm providing expert guidance to help clients manage financial risk and achieve financial security. Ranked one of Chicago's Best Places to Work for six straight years, according to Crain's Chicago Business (2009-2014), Northwestern Mutual-Chicago (formerly the McTigue Financial Group) provides career and internship opportunities to individuals who are committed to growing a successful financial service practice. The Rosemont district office is located at 8600 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. Further information can be found at rosemont.nm.com.
About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With $238.5 billion in assets, $27.9 billion in revenues and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.3 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability income and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services. Northwestern Mutual is recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2016.