Community Service 2009 Company of the Week

January 11, 2009

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.

John Hancock Financial Services Volunteers Brighten Holidays for Boston Community
With the economy uncertain this past holiday season, more and more families found themselves struggling to pay bills, put food on the table and stay warm, let alone celebrate the holiday season. But amid these unsettling times, John Hancock senior executives and employees doubled their efforts to make a difference in the community.  Last December, volunteers took part in several programs sponsored by Community Relations, in conjunction with business units, such as Annuities, Investment Management Services and Long Term Care Insurance.

South Boston Neighborhood House Giving Tree
Under the leadership of Bob Boyda, SVP, Investment Management Services, John Hancock Wealth Management employees donated gifts for South Boston families who could not afford to buy presents for their children.

Greater Boston Food Bank
Almost 150 volunteers from John Hancock’s Long-Term Care department, inspected, sorted and packed 21,593 meals to be distributed to hunger-relief organizations through the Greater Boston Food Bank.  Led by Marianne Harrison, EVP, LTC Insurance, employees provided assistance to an estimated 6,200 people.

Red Cross Food Pantry
Community Relations received an overwhelming response when recruiting volunteers for the Red Cross.  One hundred thirty-five volunteers eagerly helped at the Food Pantry for five days, sorting and distributing food to hundreds of low-income families

Holiday Reading with Diana Scott
Diana Scott, SVP, U.S. Human Resources, also brought smiles to the faces of dozens of inner city third grade students recently. In what is becoming a John Hancock company tradition, Scott read a story to the students at our company headquarters in Boston. The children were also treated to an historical surprise, as an actor portraying John Hancock arrived to teach them about the actual patriot for whom the company is named.

Holiday Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital
John Hancock employees in Boston responded to the call to help those in need with an unprecedented display of generosity. They more than doubled the goal, donating 1,001 new toys to the Boston Children's Hospital Toy Drive.

"This year, our goal was to send over 400 toys to Children’s Hospital to help brighten the holidays for the young patients," says Marc Costantini, EVP, John Hancock Annuities. "I can’t even tell you how proud I am of the men and women of John Hancock, who showed that – especially in these tough times– we still remember our neighbors in need."

Lynne Patterson Leads Neighborhood Housewarming
John Hancock employees weatherized houses and installed new windows for Boston families and individuals in need. Lynne Patterson, SVP & CFO, John Hancock, served as Executive Sponsor of the Neighborhood Housewarming 2008initiative, which targets the elderly, disabled, and low-income homeowners, helping these individuals and families to reduce their energy bills, while promoting better health and benefiting the environment.

A Bright Ending to a Record Year
All told, John Hancock employees volunteered 10,602 hours during 2008, surpassing the 10,000-hour goal and establishing a new record for the company.  John Hancock employees at all levels have shown that, despite the faltering economy – or perhaps because of it – they truly care.

Congratulations John Hancock Financial Services!

For more CS09 Company of the Week articles, please visit: http://www.fsround.org/community/community_service_company_archive.html

For more information on Community Service 2009, please contact Aleksia@fsround.org.

Click Here to view a list of our past Companies of the Week.