Assurance raises money for veterans

Assurance employees, friends and family raised $10,730 during its We Can Be Heroes 5K Walk/Run at Busse Woods for Honor Flight Chicago, a local nonprofit organization that recognizes the bravery, determination and patriotism of America's senior military veterans.

The proceeds raised at the We Can Be Heroes 5K Walk/Run will fund multiple all-expense paid trips to Washington, D.C. for several veterans who will be able to visit memorials built in their honor. The 5K is an annual Assurance event, part of the insurance brokerage's Assurance Caring Together program which aims to support local charities throughout the year with donations as well as employee engagement in charitable giving of time.

"Honor Flight Chicago is truly a feel-good charity that touches so many individuals," said Steven Handmaker, CMO of Assurance based in Schaumburg. "We look forward to honoring military veterans on their Honor Flight - they deserve every bit of recognition."

The annual We Can Be Heroes 5K Walk/Run not only encourages health and wellness among Assurance employees and the community, but gives back to a different charitable organization each year. Veterans report that Honor Flights by Honor Flight Chicago are life-changing - bolstering self-esteem and pride in the vet's service and creating lasting memories of their service to their country.

Community impact is a strong pillar within Assurance's award-winning culture. In 2018, 21 nonprofit organizations will receive assistance from Assurance in the form of labor hours from employees - who receive paid days off to volunteer - in addition to 19 nonprofit partners which will receive monetary donations from 1 percent of Assurance's operating profit. The organizations that benefit from ACT are selected each year by the employee-run program.