Sun Life Rising Star Awards Program Gives $165,000 in Grants and Scholarships to Nonprofit Organizations and High School Seniors in the New York City Area

WELLESLEY, Mass., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE: SLF, TSX: SLF) today announced the winners of the Sun Life Rising Star Awards program in New York. Three nonprofit organizations, along with their nominated students, will receive a total of $165,000 in scholarships and grants as part of the program, which seeks to recognize and provide resources to high school students who have overcome the odds and remained committed to furthering their education and the nonprofit organizations who work on their behalf.

Each nonprofit organization will receive a $50,000 grant along with training, materials and the curriculum necessary to develop and provide financial education for the youth in its program.  Additionally, each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship to help finance a post-secondary education and were presented with their awards during surprise check presentations today.  

Following is a list of the Sun Life Rising Star Awards recipients:

• The East Harlem Tutorial University Program – For over 50 years, the East Harlem Tutorial Program has taught reading and math, provided one-on-one tutoring, and has helped to build the social skills teenagers require to succeed.
  • Student winner: Travis Lawson, Academy of Environmental Science

• Publicolor – Publicolor's mission is to engage at-risk students in their education and empower them to reach their potential through an innovative continuum of creative programs that starts with teaching them to paint vibrant colors in their public schools and nearby community facilities.
  • Student winner: Narita Shelton, Brooklyn Academy High School

• Urban Dove – The Urban Dove is dedicated to enriching the lives of New York City's at-risk youth by creating a supportive, positive environment where kids are able to develop life skills and the confidence they need to reach their full potential.
  • Student winner: Mariama Diallo, Bard Early College High School

In conjunction with Sun Life Financial's official sponsorship of the 2010 Cirque du Soleil Big Top and Arena Touring Shows, winners will have the opportunity to attend a Cirque du Soleil performance. On Friday, May 21 each organization and student will be recognized at an award ceremony prior to the Cirque du Soleil show at Randall's Island Park.  

An independent panel of judges comprised of local New York community leaders selected the winning organizations.  

New York is the one of six cities that the program will visit in 2010. The awards program will give away a total of $1,000,000 in grants and scholarships; all winning organizations will automatically be considered for the National Sun Life Rising Star Award – an additional $50,000 grant to further their mission.  As well, winning students are invited to enter an essay competition where one student will be selected as the National Sun Life Rising Star award winner and receive a scholarship worth up to $50,000 payable over four years to the educational institution of their choice. The national award winners will be announced in the fall of 2010.  

For more information on the Sun Life Rising Star Awards, please visit www.sunliferisingstar.com.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2009, the Sun Life Financial Group of companies had total assets under management of US $411.2 billion.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippines (PSE) stock exchanges under ticker symbol SLF.  Visit Sun Life Financial's website at www.sunlife.com/us.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.