Northwestern Mutual announces 2012 Community Impact Award winners

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, is honoring four of its local offices that have demonstrated exemplary volunteerism with the 2012 Community Impact Award. The annual tribute recognizes one office per region that exhibits exceptional community service with a local nonprofit and gifts the partner organization a $50,000 grant on behalf of the winning office.

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The 2012 Northwestern Mutual Community Impact Award recipients are: The Savino Financial Group in Princeton, N.J.; The McTigue Financial Group in Chicago, Ill; The Texas Financial Group in Dallas, Texas; and Northwestern Mutual – Puget Sound in Seattle, Wash.

"Few things in life are more emotionally rewarding than helping make life better for others," said John Kordsmeier, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "The communities where our employees work and live are a better place as a result of the award winners' hard work and commitment to help others."

About the 2012 Community Impact Award winners' nonprofit partners and volunteer efforts                                                                                                    

Special Olympics New Jersey – The Savino Financial Group, Princeton, N.J.
Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) is an organization committed to providing year-round activities and competition for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Northwestern Mutual's Princeton-based office logged more than 670 volunteer hours, raised more than $21,940, and secured more than 50 business sponsorships for its annual golf outing.

Young Men's Educational Network – The McTigue Financial Group, Chicago, Ill.
Young Men's Educational Network (YMEN) is a nonprofit organization that prepares young men in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood for leadership positions by helping them grow in their faith and character, develop a love for learning, and use their talents to serve the greater good. For nearly five years, the Chicago-based office has worked with YMEN and its group of young men to grow strong minds and hearts through faith-based leadership education.

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation – The Texas Financial Group, Dallas, Texas
TeamConnor Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit that raises awareness, supports families and funds treatments to help find a cure for childhood cancer. The organization began after the office's managing partner's son, Connor, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. After Connor's passing in 2009, the Northwestern Mutual team began the nonprofit to fund research in new, innovative treatments for pediatric cancer patients.

The Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment – Northwestern Mutual – Puget Sound, Seattle, Wash.
The Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment is the first multidisciplinary treatment and research center in the Pacific Northwest dedicated solely to the treatment of brain tumors. Northwestern Mutual's Seattle office began supporting cancer research in 2011 with its participation in the Seattle Brain Cancer Walk, raising more than $32,000 dollars for the cause. After its initial success, the Northwestern Mutual team committed its office to continue to raise money for innovative treatments for brain cancer patients.

Watch Community Impact Award Winner Videos on YouTube
To hear personal stories from Northwestern Mutual representatives and their volunteer experiences along with more information about the nonprofit organizations, please click on the hyperlinks below.                                                                         

• Northwestern Mutual recognizes volunteers with $50,000 donation to Special Olympics New Jersey
• Northwestern Mutual awards $50,000 grants to Young Men's Educational Network
• Northwestern Mutual announces $50,000 grant for TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation
• Northwestern Mutual announces $50,000 grant for Ben and Catherine Ivy Center

About the Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation – the largest corporate foundation in the state of Wisconsin – 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 2012, the Foundation will contribute $16.7 million to nonprofit organizations across the country.

About Northwestern Mutual
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company – Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual) – among the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2012 according to FORTUNE® magazine – has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 155 years. As a mutual company with $1.2 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders. The company focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value to them 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.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual