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Quality of Life Grant recipients Richard and Mark Friese

Helping Hands
Like many other MDRT members, 31-year MDRT member Richard E. Friese and his son, two-year MDRT member Mark E. Friese, CMFC, both of Libertyville, Illinois, feel it is important to give back to the community. Both Knights of the MDRT Foundation, Richard and Mark recently received Quality of Life Grants from the MDRT Foundation, which have gone to help the charities with which they are involved.

"I didn't always volunteer," said Richard. "Then, 12 years ago, my wife asked me if I wanted to visit Connection Resources, the charity at which she volunteered." Richard was so impressed with the organization that he decided to get involved and has been helping ever since.

Today, Richard serves as director and volunteer site manager for PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)

Quality of Life Grant recipients Richard and Mark Friese
Emergency Shelter Program, part of Connection Resources Services Inc., of North Chicago, Illinois, which provides a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, therapeutic day services and transition housing to people in Lake County, Illinois. Started in 1972 as a crisis and referral Connection Resources Services hotline, with the help of churches and synagogues, soon expanded its services to help the growing homeless population in Lake County. Today, it also includes PADS+, a resource center that provides basic needs during the day for the homeless; HELP, a short-term transitional housing program for homeless men; and ACT, which assists the mentally disadvantaged.

"I feel very fortunate to have gotten involved with a charity that makes such a difference in so many lives. The most rewarding thing I have seen as a volunteer at PADS was when one of the homeless people who had stayed at our shelter got his life back together and went on to become a volunteer," said Richard.

"I think it's hard for some people to relate to those who are homeless because they think it could never happen to them, but it could happen to any of us," said Richard. "I try to think about how I would feel if I were homeless, and I treat the guests at our shelter with the same respect that I would want."

Mark followed in his father's charitable footsteps. Since 1996, he has served on the board of directors for The Lambs Inc. and The Lambs Foundation of Libertyville, Illinois. A private, nonprofit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities, The Lambs, which includes a farm, restaurant, country store, pet store and various children's attractions, provides residential, vocational and social support to adults with developmental disabilities.

"It is gratifying to see how the programs at Lambs impact the lives of the people we serve," said Mark. "We let participants play an active role in designing the activities in their lives. A wide range of programs provide options for those who live at home, on the farm or in one of our community residences. We don't just provide a place for disabled adults to live. We provide a place for them to thrive."

Mark and Richard both see their volunteer efforts as long-term commitments and plan to continue to volunteer as long as the charities can use their help.

"Volunteering is all about giving back," said Richard. "I don't get any business out of it, but I do get a great sense of camaraderie and a feeling that I am an integral part of the greater community."

For both, being involved in the community also is a natural extension of working in the insurance business.

"A career in the life insurance industry is more than just a job — it's a lifestyle of caring for people — and being active in the community is just an extension of that," said Mark.

This article first appeared in the 2001 May/June issue of Round the Table magazine.