“The insurance industry has touched thousands of lives through the IICF grant program that is supported by this annual Northeast dinner,” said Betsy Myatt, Executive Director of the IICF Northeast Division and Vice President, Chief Program Officer. “The dinner has become a holiday tradition and is truly a celebration of the work of the industry every day of the year – and of the generosity that is so well-illustrated by this event where everyone is pulling together through IICF for the greater good of our communities.”
The benefit dinner featured two celebrity speakers, U.S. Women’s Soccer Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Mia Hamm and 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson. Both Hamm and Dickerson shared how charitable giving and philanthropic efforts have shaped their respective lives and noted that giving back should be a core priority for all leaders. Hamm received a grant to support the Mia Hamm Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds for those in need of marrow or cord blood transplants and supports athletic programs for young women. Dickerson accepted a grant on behalf of Covenant House, an organization that provides housing, support and educational services for homeless youth.
As part of the event’s festivities, IICF awarded its prestigious “Double I” Award to Markel Corporation. This annual award recognizes an organization that has served as a philanthropic leader through its “influence” in the insurance industry and “impact” in the community. Anthony F. Markel, Vice Chairman of Markel, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Anthony Markel has an extensive history of personal and professional philanthropy, including his leadership of the City of Hope’s Power of Hope campaign, for which $1 billion was raised to fight cancer.
“At Markel, we have a role as corporate citizens to support our communities,” said Anthony Markel. “From top to bottom, we believe that all successful companies have a philanthropic responsibility to prioritize the health of their communities. Receiving the “Double I” award from IICF is an honor and recognition of our commitment to serve those around us. We hope our efforts will inspire the next generation of insurance leaders to put their communities first.”
The event also featured two speakers from Operation Healing Forces (OHF), a nonprofit founded by Anthony Markel’s brother, Gary Markel, himself a leading philanthropist. Staff Sergeant Vince Mizerek and Heather Mizerek shared their appreciation for the Markel family and expressed how OHF’s mission to provide emotional and physical support to active duty and recent-veteran wounded, ill and injured Specials Operations Forces and their spouses has positively impacted countless people and families everywhere. Operational Healing Forces was presented with a special grant from IICF.
Proceeds from the IICF Annual Northeast Benefit Dinner fund area nonprofits supporting education, people in need and the environment. "The impact of the IICF grant on Fulfill's 'Packed with Love' Backpack Program is extraordinary. More than 250 children will receive food from IICF’s support of this lunch program, so they will not go hungry over the weekend when there is no school breakfast or lunch. For that, we are profoundly grateful," said Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.
IICF’s Northeast Division 2019 grant recipients include:
Community Grants:
- The Ali Forney Center
- The Ana Grace Project
- Center for Safety & Change
- The Child Center of NY
- Children’s Health Fund
- Covenant House International
- Freedom House
- Friends of Karen
- Fulfill
- Mia Hamm Foundation
- Operation Healing Forces
- Table to Table
Local Grants:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
- David’s Refuge
- Filling in the Blanks
- Hope House
- Mechanicville Area Community Service Center
- Open Arms Rescue
- Person-to-Person
- Push to Walk
- Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley
- Veterans Yoga Project
For more information please visit https://www.iicf.org/about-iicf/northeast-division.html.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for more than twenty-five years, contributing $36 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on Twitter @doubleicf.