Mundelein resident joins efforts to help kids with cancer
Team building and philanthropic passion intersected when Mundelein resident Demi DiCristofano brought her sister to her Northwestern Mutual - Chicago office on a Saturday to assemble gift bags and make personal greeting cards.
DiCristofano, an associate financial representative, is a member of the firm's Chicago Childhood Cancer Impact Committee, a team of 13 financial professionals who are working together to lead the financial planning firm's philanthropic efforts.
The impact of the day: 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," Managing Partner Corey D. McQuade said. "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.
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 is made up of: Strategic Growth Consultant Tessa Budmayr; Director of Recruitment and Selection Molly Martin; Director of Operations Nikki Perryman; Financial Representatives Britt Yackey, Patrick Joyce, and Courtney Blenner; Financial Advisor Jack Wambach; Field Director and Financial Advisor Jim Stinson; Office Manager Angela Cappelluti; Financial Representative Brian Dwyer; and Associate Financial Representatives Kirsten Rook, Demi DiCristofano and Elyssa Diraffaele.
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