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Newsroom MDRT Foundation Receives More Than $500,000 to Aid Tsunami Survivors Read
letters from MDRT members Generosity should be measured by the spirit in which it is given. MDRT members and staff, their friends and families, corporate supporters and industry partners have generously given $521,613.33 to the MDRT Foundation Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund, reflecting the compassionate and caring spirit that lies within the heart of each contributor. This figure includes the $150,000 matching gift from the MDRT Foundation and the $50,000 matching gift from MDRT. At the east coast of South Asia and east Africa, the tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and destroyed the homes and livelihoods of millions. This giant wave wreaked destruction and loss on communities and families throughout this region, orphaning hundreds of young children. “When tragedy strikes our global family, it is our industry’s responsibility to provide assistance,” said 2005 MDRT Foundation President Allan G. Hancock, CLU, ChFC, a 32-year MDRT member from Altoona, Pennsylvania. “Together, we can restore hope among those who have lost so much.” Individual
contributions Casey G. Lewis, the 7-year-old son of Jason W. Lewis, a one-year MDRT member from Wayne, Pennsylvania, donated the entire contents of his piggy bank, $7, to the fund. Casey saw the images on television and wanted to give back to those who are less fortunate than he. “I felt sad for the children and wanted to help make them feel better,” Casey said, whose donation was earned by doing family chores. Phyllis Hershberger, a 77-year-old client of Hancock, also was inspired to play her part in this effort in honor of the compassionate life her husband lived before he died. Hershberger donated $10,000 to the fund. “I have seven children, and just as I have helped my own children over the years, I felt I had to help the children affected by this disaster,” she said. “I know that my late husband would have been moved by this tragedy.” Industry
and corporate partners Additionally, corporate supporters agreed to double the impact of their agents’ donations by providing matching gift programs for this fund. Penn Mutual will match their agents’ contributions to a total of $50,000, and New York Life Insurance Company has also extended their matching gift program for their agents’ contributions to this fund. Other industry donations (which may include staff contributions) included the following:
The MDRT Foundation has selected the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army as two of the recipients of relief funds. Other organizations may be named to receive funds for relief efforts in communities throughout South Asia and east Africa. Both organizations have implemented disaster relief plans to provide for humanitarian needs such as food, safe water, healthcare and disease prevention, immediate family supplies and mental health counseling to the millions of survivors in this region. The MDRT Foundation extends its immense gratitude to each and every contributor to the MDRT Foundation Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund. United, this support will empower the survivors and inspire a renewed comfort and hope following this catastrophic tragedy.
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