Company’s volunteer initiative exceeds goal
(December 31, 2010 – Milwaukee, WI) Northwestern Mutual employees pledged more than one million volunteer minutes, exceeding the company’s one-million-minute goal as part of its “Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations” initiative.
Starting in June 2010, when retiring Northwestern Mutual Chairman and CEO Edward J. Zore offered the company’s employees four hours of paid-time off to volunteer for a nonprofit, volunteer pledges poured in. More than 4,000 employees pledged a total of 1,003,170 volunteer minutes in 2010, benefitting more than 900 area organizations and schools.
Northwestern Mutual’s current Chairman and CEO John E. Schlifske says the successful campaign symbolizes employees’ passion for giving back and their appreciation for Zore’s dedication to volunteer service over the course of his long Northwestern Mutual career.
“I have more than one million reasons to be thankful to work with such generous people at Northwestern Mutual,” said Schlifske. “At a time when charitable giving in Milwaukee is needed more than ever, Northwestern Mutual employees outshined expectations. At area schools, food pantries, hospitals, community centers and other charitable causes, they rolled up their sleeves and helped others. Their willingness to give back is a tribute to their character and an inspiring gift to the community.”
To kick off the campaign, Northwestern Mutual employees and volunteers from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and KaBOOM! (a nonprofit dedicated to creating places for kids to play across North America) built a playground – in a single day – at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee’s Camp Whitcomb/Mason in Hartland. Children from the Boys & Girls Club helped design the playground. The company also provided scholarships to send 80 Milwaukee area children to the camp.
During the initiative, hundreds of employees volunteered as teams – and several invited family and friends to amplify their impact.
“I hope others in southeastern Wisconsin will follow our employees’ lead and make charitable giving an important part of this holiday season, said Schlifske. “Together, we can leave a positive legacy that lasts for generations to come.”
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is the largest corporate contributor in the state of Wisconsin. In the last 10 years alone, the Foundation has contributed more than $166 million to nonprofit organizations, with about $100 million remaining right here in southeastern Wisconsin, where Northwestern Mutual employees live and work.
About Northwestern Mutual
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to build strong, vibrant communities that serve as a legacy to future generations. The Foundation’s giving is designed to create an impact on the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. In fiscal year 2010, the Foundation contributed more than $15 million to nonprofit organizations across the country.
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company – Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual) – the industry leader in total individual life insurance, long-term care insurance, and disability insurance dividends paid to participating policyowners – has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 150 years. Though dividends are not guaranteed, are reviewed annually and are subject to change, the company has paid life insurance dividends every year since 1872. As a mutual company with over $1.2 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual seeks to share its gains with policyowners and deliver consistent and dependable value to clients over time. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.
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For further information, contact:
Jean Towell 1-800-323-7033
