Community Corner
What $1 Million Giveaway Means to Central Iowa Kids
Sammons Financial Group is celebrating its 75th anniversary by giving big gifts to four charities in the city.
To mark its 75th anniversary, Sammons Financial Group in West Des Moines is giving more than $1 million to four metro charities that help children.
The company said it would continue its normal charitable support, but plans to increase contributions to four organizations, the Des Moines Register reported. They are:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa: software upgrade to enhance recruiting, matching and tracking matches.
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Children and Family Urban Ministries: New appliances and kitchen improvements to support the Breakfast Club and the Supper Club meal programs.
Orchard Place: Renovations of two living units that provide homes to 48 children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
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Special Olympics of Central Iowa: Technology improvements, new vehicles to transport athletic equipment throughout the state and sponsorship of the new Play Day program providing activities for children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 2 and 7.Not only is SFG committed to charitable giving, its employee-owners volunteered more than 3,223 hours in 2012 for such organizations as the DMARC Food Pantry, United Way of Central Iowa, Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Principal Charity Classic. The company is making similar contributions in each of its four U.S. locations.
Sammons Financial Group has more than $49 billion in assets and more than $220 billion in life insurance in force, according to its web site. Located at 4350 Westown Parkway, it is the parent of a group of financial services companies offering a range of financial and retirement companies
Cindy Reed, who leads the company’s annuity division, said the gifts reflect a culture that also includes volunteering.
“Our culture of giving is a gift in itself, and the rewards we experience in giving greatly outweigh the amount we give,” Reed said.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.