There were a lot of helping hands, both big and small when Northwestern Mutual – Chicago transformed its office into a production line assembling goodie bags for hospitalized children. Tables filled with books, toys, puzzles and other goodies were overflowing as volunteers packed more than 70 bags that were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The volunteers also made personalized cards with uplifting messages for Cards for Hospitalized Kids and helped raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
In 2014, the Chicago-based financial planning firm joined forces with Northwestern Mutual’s national childhood cancer initiative to accelerate the search for cures for childhood cancer and to provide support for families fighting the disease. Through an annual golf outing, hosting lemonade stands in the community, running as charity runners, and other fun events the firm raises funds for the childhood cancer research and its non-profit partner Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
To help support local families, in 2015, Northwestern Mutual – Chicago and its district offices in Northbrook, Oak Brook and Rosemont, began a partnership with the Ronald McDonald House of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. The financial planning firm regularly engages its associates with days of service providing meals for families staying at one of the five local houses. In 2016, in conjunction with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the firm presented a $25,000 grant that supports local programming.
This is the second year that the firm’s Childhood Cancer Impact Committee has organized the care package event. In 2016, care packages were made for hospitalized children at The University of Chicago Medicine Comer’s Children Hospital.
The Northwestern Mutual – Chicago Childhood Cancer Impact Committee includes: Nikki Perryman, Kara Knipps, Jenny Eason, Martha Glodz, Jamie Schrad, Cassie Brehmer, Molly Phalin, Devon Anthony, Matt Ward, Angela Cappelluti, Jack Wambach, Brian Dwyer, Dionna Johnson, Kevin Reddington and Amita Gupta.