MassMutual Foundation honors dedication of financial professionals with $275,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations

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In Tom Badger’s 15-year involvement with the Schuylkill YMCA (YMCA), he has helped grow their annual budget tenfold, supported the purchase of a building with off-street parking, and overseen the gifting of thousands of scholarships to low-income children and families.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--()--The MassMutual Foundation has awarded $275,000 to eligible nonprofit organizations through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. These charitable contributions – which include two $25,000 awards, fifteen $10,000 awards, and fifteen $5,000 awards – are given in honor of MassMutual financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to nonprofit organizations in their local communities.

“In 2018, participating financial professionals in our CSA program donated over 15,000 hours of service to nonprofit organizations across the country,” said Dennis Duquette, Head of MassMutual Community Responsibility and President of the MassMutual Foundation. “We are proud to recognize these individuals who are making a difference in their communities and demonstrating what it means to live mutual through their volunteer efforts and dedication to the causes they support.”

This year’s two $25,000 CSA grants are being awarded to the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), on behalf of Manuel Amezcua, a MassMutual financial professional in Southfield, Mich., and to the Schuylkill YMCA, on behalf of Thomas Badger, a MassMutual financial professional in Schuylkill Haven, Pa.

The Melanoma Research Foundation is committed to supporting medical research for finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. It educates patients and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, and acts as an advocate to raise awareness of the disease. Amezcua has dedicated countless hours to MRF and serves on its board of directors. You can learn more about Amezcua’s work with MRF as well as read more about his personal story and why advancing MRF’s mission is so important to him and his family.

The Schuylkill YMCA aims to strengthen the safety, health, and well-being of families in Schuylkill County through social service, social change, and men's and women's leadership development. Badger has been involved with YMCA for 15 years, currently serving as mentor of the organization’s board. The funds will be used to renovate classroom space that, once complete, will support nearly double the number of children able to enroll in YMCA programs and also help gift scholarships to low income children and families. You can learn more about Badger’s work with the YMCA as well as read more about why giving back to his community is so important to him, both personally and professionally.

Additional CSA grants have been awarded to the following nonprofit organizations on behalf of the referenced MassMutual financial professionals:

$10,000 Community Service Award Recipients

Name

Organization

Office Location

Lena Allouche

Friday Harbour

Houston

George D. Avant, Jr., ChFC, CLU, CLTC

The Salvation Army, Southern Territory

Tallahassee, Fla.

Daniel Chung, CFBS

Helping Hands Of Vegas Valley, Inc.

Las Vegas

Joseph DiLeo, CEO MassMutual New York State

AIDS Community Resources

Amherst, N.Y.

Melissa Edelman, CLU, ChSNC

Promise Ranch Therapeutic Riding

Denver

Deanna Filosa, CLU, ChFC

Cost Of Freedom Inc.

Melville, N.Y.

Steven Krasnipol, CFP, CAP, ChSNC, CFBS

Carousel Center Inc.

Wilmington, N.C.

Robert S. Madden, CFP, CLU, ChFC

America's VetDogs

Melville, N.Y.

Gregory W. Meahl, LUTCF

YMCA of the North Shore Inc.

Wakefield, Mass.

Rebecca M. Monty

Champlain Valley Junior Service League Inc.

Colchester, Vt.

Rachana Puri

BAPS Charities, Inc.

Madison, Miss.

Sean Rho, LUTCF, FSCP, CLTC

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center

Beverly Hills, Calif.

Mitchell Starr

Debbie's Dream Foundation Inc.

Ft Lauderdale, Fla.

Bernd Steinebrunner, CFP

Family Promise of Orange County Inc.

Costa Mesa, Calif.

Victoria Thomas

Robinson Ranch

Scottsdale, Ariz.

$5,000 Community Service Award Recipients

Name

Organization

Office Location

Naftuli Brach

A Torah Infertility Medium Of Exchange

Brooklyn, N.Y.

Timothy S. Conti, ChFC, CLU

One More Child Foundation Inc.

Lakeland, Fla.

John Corraro

Center Stage Theatre Inc.

Shelton, Conn.

Andy Faught, CFA, CFP

Martha O'Bryan Center Inc.

Brentwood, Tenn.

Shea Fischer

Friends Of Rockland Inc.

Monsey, N.Y.

James Todd Gentry, CFP, ChFC, CAP

Down Syndrome Association Of Greater St. Louis

Chesterfield, Mo.

Peter Glassman, CLU, CFP

Greater Washington Foundation Of Insurance And Financial Advisors

Vienna, Va.

Bret A. Hartung

Chicago Waldorf School

Chicago

Kevin Hill

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Education Foundation Inc.

Virginia Beach, Va.

Robert Houle, CFBS

Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee Inc.

Holyoke, Mass.

Peter M. Lewis, ChFC, LUTCF

Lonestar Rugby Conference

San Antonio

Felix Malitsky, CRPC®, CMFC®, AAMS®, AWMA®

Newtown Youth Wrestling Association Inc.

Newtown, Conn.

Brady Murray, CFP

Racing For Orphans With Down Syndrome Inc.

Salt Lake City

Michael R. Thompson

Good Neighbor Village Inc.

Glen Allen, Va.

Robert Touzeau, CLU, ChSNC, LUTCF

Lehigh Valley Center For Independent Living Inc.

Center Valley, Pa.

Since 1996, more than $2.5 million has been donated to nonprofits through the Community Service Awards program. The CSA program is just one of a variety of philanthropic programs sponsored by the MassMutual Foundation in support of nonprofit organizations that operate where MassMutual’s financial professionals live and work.

About the MassMutual Foundation

The MassMutual Foundation, Inc. is a dedicated corporate foundation established by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). The MassMutual Foundation activates connections and untapped opportunities within communities, so that all families can build their financial capability and thrive. In support of this mission, the Foundation develops partnerships and provides grants in support of our signature programs. The Foundation also supports anchor institutions in the communities where MassMutual operates.

To learn more about the MassMutual Foundation please visit https://www.massmutual.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility/foundation.

About MassMutual

MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Contacts

 

Chelsea Haraty, MassMutual

413-744-4062

chelseaharaty@massmutual.com

Release Summary

MassMutual Foundation honors dedication of financial professionals with $275,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations.

Contacts

 

Chelsea Haraty, MassMutual

413-744-4062

chelseaharaty@massmutual.com