Women-led life insurer Royal Neighbors of America awards over $100,000 to women with a dream

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Jan. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- From a woman's dream to eradicate human trafficking, to a woman who started a book bank for children, Royal Neighbors of America's annual Nation of Neighbors^SM Program is an initiative that empowers women to reach their dreams and pay it forward.

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In the 2013 program, the women-led, not-for-profit life insurer awarded $106,000 to 72 recipients to help them change their lives and transform their communities.

"As one of the nation's largest and oldest women-led insurers, Royal Neighbors has been empowering women for more than a century," said Cynthia Tidwell, President/CEO. "We're proud of our Nation of Neighbors recipients because they so clearly demonstrate the neighbor-helping-neighbor philosophy that is the hallmark of our long history. This program is just one of many that highlights us as Insurance with a Difference^SM."

Danielle Swope of Portland, OR, started The Children's Book Bank to provide books to children who don't have access to them. She has put nearly 350,000 books in the homes of more than 23,000 children. SEEDS for Autism is a non-profit founded by Maryann LaRoche in Phoenix, AZ. She now has additional financial resources from Nation of Neighbors to help young adults with Autism achieve independence.

Another significant program that has benefitted from Nation of Neighbors is Braking Traffik, which is dedicated to eradicating sex trafficking in Illinois and Iowa.

According to Cathy O'Keeffe, Executive Director of the organization, "With this financial help of $7,500, we will make a new documentary incorporating testimonies from Iowa survivors of sex trafficking. This suggestion came from students who participated in our awareness program. Through the voices of women who were trafficked in our surrounding communities as teenagers and young adults, we will impact our students more fully by educating them on how to stay safe, challenging them to make good choices, and inspiring them to make a difference."

Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors has given $1.5 million to assist more than 1,000 families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through the Nation of Neighbors Program. The program, which was launched in 2007, demonstrates Royal Neighbors' vision of protecting women financially and empowering them to improve their lives, families, and communities, the philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895.  Each year, Royal Neighbors members and sales agents across the country are asked to nominate individuals they know who want to change their lives for the better. A panel reviews each nomination and determines the recipients and the monetary amounts awarded.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of Neighbors Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, which is dedicated to financial education for women.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

To learn more about Royal Neighbors and its Nation of Neighbors Program, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.       

Contact: Rita Toalson, FLMI, ACS
(309) 732-8376

Video with caption: "Another significant program that has benefited from Nation of Neighbors is Braking Traffik, which is dedicated to eradicating sex trafficking in Illinois and Iowa." Video available at: http://youtu.be/cK6-ssEJ8Cc

SOURCE Royal Neighbors of America