2017 Quality of Life Awardees

Congratulations to our Quality of Life award recipients for their selfless volunteerism to help children and adults worldwide. This year 30 members were honored and $250,000 was awarded to charities in their names.

USD 50,000 GRANT AWARDEE

ROBERT H. JOHNSON, ChFC, MSFS Oak Brook, IL – Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago To provide orthotic and prosthetic service to children whose families cannot afford treatment.

USD 25,000 GRANT AWARDEES

ROBERT L. BELVEDERE, CFBS, LUTCF Garden City, NY – Ladles of Hope Inc. To provide those in need with food and proper clothing of coats, gloves, hats and sweaters in the winter.

MICHAEL D. FINDLEY, CLU, ChFC Fort Wayne, IN – Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities To provide those in need with food and proper clothing of coats, gloves, hats and sweaters in the winter.

USD 10,000 GRANT AWARDEES

JAY M. DEFINIS, CLTC Cleveland, OH – Cornerstone of Hope To fund a support group series that provides counseling and education for inner-city children, teens and adults grieving the loss of a loved one.

TIM C. FITZGERALD, MSFS, AEP Shreveport, LA – Shreveport Youth Boxing Club To provide structure through free coaching, uniforms, tournament registration and participation for kids who struggle at home, school and in the community.

P. M. PETERS, CLU, RHU Solana Beach, CA – Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito To support teens who are at‐risk and economically disadvantaged by providing academic support and encouragement through trained, professional staff and volunteers.

USD 5,000 GRANT AWARDEES

JIM L. HARVEY West Des Moines, IA – Special Olympics Iowa To help activate youth, engage educators and promote school communities of acceptance and inclusion.

W. RICHARD HAUENSTEIN, CLU Marietta, GA – North Georgia Community Foundation Pickens County Youth Enrichment Program To introduce children during their formative years to life experiences which they otherwise may never witness.

H. KENT HEISE, CLU, CHFC Winnebago, IL – Haven Network Family Services/Miscarriage Resource Project To provide emotional, spiritual and practical support for families facing a terminal diagnosis including SIDS or infant death, of their preborn or newborn babies.

JOHN INGRAHAM Shallotte, NC – Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. To provide ADA-compliant transport for seniors previously denied transportation to/from their local senior center due to the geographic location of their homes.

R.J. KELLY, RICP, MSFS San Diego, CA – Center for Wealth & Legacy To help successful business owners and families pass forward their financial success along with their core values and virtues that created their wealth.

DAVID H. LEVY, CLU, CHFC Philadelphia, PA – Golden Slipper Camp To fund a biking program that builds a child’s self-confidence through empowering them to learn a new skill, be active and be healthy.

MICHAEL J. MATHEWS, CLU, CFP Indianapolis, IN – Servants at Work, Inc. To build five wooden wheelchair ramps in Indiana at an average cost of $1,000 per ramp during 2017.

THOMAS R. MCCOY, CLTC Marshalltown, IA – Boy Scouts of America To help support scouts who are unable to attend scouting events due to cost restrictions.

WILLIAM E. MCMANN JR. Danville, VA – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area To provide a comprehensive homework assistance program so members can complete homework and classroom projects with resources and guidance while incorporating a strong tutoring program.

VINCENT MEZZETTI, CLU Florida, NY – Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center To fund the purchase of bitless bridles, saddles and safety stirrups so that additional children and adults will be able to enjoy beneficial therapeutic horseback riding experiences.

MARTIN F PALUMBOS, CLU, CHFC Rochester, NY – Keuka College/Project SAGE To provide students at risk of not earning a college degree due to academic or socioeconomic circumstances the critical support needed to prepare them to graduate and be competitive in the global marketplace.

JAMES P. RUTH, CFP Lewes, DE – Operation Second Chance To prevent homelessness and keep families together with assistance for utilities, rent, mortgage, flights, lodging and daily essential items such as groceries, diapers and formula.

RICHARD W. SAWYER Scarborough, ME – South Portland Food Cupboard To help fund the purchase of a new van that will replace the current van, which is no longer effective or reliable.

MARK C. SEEBECK, CFP Hurst, TX – Grapevine Relief And Community Exchange To provide emergency assistance of food, clothing, toiletries, furniture, financial support for rent, utilities and transportation, and needs assessments and case plans to guide clients to self-sufficiency.

GREGORY WARREN SMITH, CFP Louisville, KY – Ovarian Awareness of Kentucky (OAK) To support the Treehouse of Hope initiative that will include a three-story upscale luxury bath and sleeping accomodations for four for ovarian cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers on a 60-acre nature sanctuary with trails in Louisville, Kentucky.

CLIVE TAYLOR Corona, CA – Unforgettables Foundation To provide burial and grief support.

FRANKLIN T. VARONE, CLU, CHFC Wilmington, DE – Ministry of Caring Inc. To purchase a new box van to be utilized by the maintenance and distribution center for the transportation of donated items and furniture to benefit low-income clients.

BRIAN VITALE Warrne, NJ – Transplant House of Cleveland, Inc. To help fund stair lifts that will make Transplant House physically accessible for all patients.

EUGENE K. YOUNGENTOB, CLU, CHFC Bethesda, MD – Jewish Foundation for Group Homes To modify an inaccessible bathroom at one home, allowing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to age in place.