MassMutual Celebrates 15th Year of Community Service Awards Program; Donates $125,000 to Non-Profit Organizations on Behalf of Its Financial Professionals

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has awarded $125,000 to eligible non-profit organizations through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. The awards are given on behalf of MassMutual financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to non-profit organizations in their local areas.

Through the CSA program, now in its 15th year, MassMutual awards one $25,000 grant on behalf of a financial professional's unprecedented dedication to volunteerism, and $10,000 grants to 10 non-profit organizations across the country.

This year's $25,000 grant was awarded to Kevin J. Brand of MassMutual's Dallas, TX agency, Spectrum Financial Group, for his work with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). The CCFA is the leading national non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Brand has been a member of the foundation for more than nine years, and has been instrumental in helping the North Texas chapter of CCFA expand awareness of Crohn's and colitis through both hands-on efforts, including coordinating and volunteering at fundraising events, and by serving on the board of directors.

"I am honored that my service to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America has been recognized and rewarded by MassMutual," says Brand. "This grant will go towards finding a cure and improving the quality of life for the 1.4 million Americans, including approximately 150,000 under the age of 18, living with these diseases."

Brand attributes his dedication to CCFA because of the impact Crohn's disease has had on his own family, and because he comes from a long line of volunteers and community leaders, including his parents and grandparents.

"MassMutual's Community Service Awards program aims to encourage and recognize those financial professionals that are active members of their community, but we also want to make a point of acknowledging one professional who goes above and beyond for his or her community," said Nick Fyntrilakis, MassMutual's Assistant Vice President of Community Responsibility, noting that Brand's dedication to CCFA is an extraordinary testament to his will to find a cure for Crohn's and colitis. "We are very proud of the great work all of our financial professionals do with charitable organizations, and we are pleased to contribute funds to assist non-profit organizations in continuing their efforts in communities across the country."

Each CSA recognizes the many selfless hours of volunteer time members of MassMutual's sales force put in during the year to improve their communities. Combined, this year's 11 winners have contributed more than 2,000 volunteer hours. Since the program's inception in 1996, MassMutual has contributed more than $1.1 million to charitable organizations across the country.

The CSA program is just one of a variety of philanthropic programs sponsored by MassMutual in support of non-profit organizations where its financial professionals volunteer. Last year, in total, MassMutual contributed more than $780,000 in community service award grants and matching gift donations to organizations throughout the United States in honor of its sales force.  

The following financial professionals have been awarded grants for their local non-profit organizations:

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

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SOURCE MassMutual