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MDRT Foundation Gives $100,000 Grant to the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

MDRT's President, Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, of East Liverpool, Ohio, presents former New York City mayor, Rudolph W. Giuliani a $100,000 grant to the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children on the Main Platform at the 2002 MDRT Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.

Park Ridge, Illinois (June 26, 2002) — Following his Main Platform speech on Sunday, June 23, at the 2002 MDRT Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, opening speaker, Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, was presented a $100,000 grant from the MDRT Foundation to the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC). Proceeds from the grant came from the MDRT Disaster Relief Fund.

In 1875, the NYSPCC was created as the first child protection agency in the world. At that time, the Society was the first to protect children from abuse, utilizing the legal system. Before the creation of The NYSPCC, child abuse and neglect was considered a private family matter. Almost 125 years later, The NYSPCC is still actively working to protect children from abuse and neglect.

MDRT's grant money will go to the NYSPCC's "Strength of Our Society - Talking About 9/11." The program helps parents, teachers and employees of social service agencies cope with the aftermath of the events of September 11 and provides training to assist them in identifying and dealing with grief stricken or distressed children in their care.

While presenting the grant to Giuliani, MDRT President Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, of East Liverpool, Ohio, said, "In the aftermath of September 11, the New York Society (for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) quickly went to work implementing a trauma recovery program for children, parents and teachers who live and work in the World Trade Center area. Their programs continue to provide services at every level to the people of New York and MDRT is pleased to show our support."

Recently, Giuliani was a featured speaker at the 125th anniversary of the NYCSPCC. Now known as "America's Mayor," he was born to a working class Brooklyn family of Italian immigrants in 1944. He attended Manhattan College in the Bronx and NYU Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1968. He went on to lead a successful career with the U.S. Attorney's office and the Attorney General's office. In 1993, he was elected the 107th Mayor of New York City. During his two terms in office, Giuliani reduced crime, reformed welfare, encouraged economic growth and improved the overall quality of life. On September 11, 2001, he led America with strength and dignity through one of the saddest times in its history. Recently, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed onto him an honorary KBE-Knight of the British Empire.

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the global MDRT community reached out to help and the MDRT Disaster Relief Fund was established. The goal was to assist charitable organizations that provide direct support programs and services to September 11 victims. The Fund raised a total of $265,000 and was distributed between the NYSPCC, Families of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club, The Salvation Army and Project Renewal, all charitable organizations servicing the needs of children and adults who were directly effected by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide Round Table members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated in excess of $9 million to more than 1,300 worthy charities around the world. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members from MDRT members. Some of the other organizations that have benefited from MDRT Foundation grants are: Make-a-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the American Paralysis Association.

The MDRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. An international, independent association of more than 27,000 of the world's best life insurance and financial services professionals from 66 nations and territories, MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of sales excellence in the life insurance and financial services business.