Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
|
John Hancocks
Boston Marathon Fundraising Program Nets $3.3 Million for Local Organizations BOSTON,
August 8, 2007 John Hancocks Boston Marathon Fundraising
Program raised $3.3 million for charitable and community service organizations,
during the 111th running of the historic race. The
program, in its 22nd year, set a fundraising record, eclipsing the amount
previously raised by more than $400,000. As the principal sponsor of
the Boston Marathon, John Hancock provides select non-profit organizations
with invitational marathon entries that enable funds to be raised for
their organizations. The entries are distributed to runners who wish
to raise money but who would not necessarily qualify for race entry
based on their personal running times. Non-profit groups, hospitals
and community agencies receiving entries asked runners to raise at least
$3,000 for their organization. This year the runners raised an average
of more than $3,700. In addition, John Hancock asked its employees to
run and raise funds on behalf of non-profits, enabling employees to
strengthen their ties to the community. The dedication and generosity
of these runners show that the race is about contribution as well as
competition, said John D. DesPrez III, President and CEO of John
Hancock. We are proud that as the principal sponsor of the Boston
Marathon we are able to make it possible for so many individuals to
give back to the greater Boston community. As John Hancock continues
to grow in Boston, we are also pleased to continue to grow our longstanding
corporate tradition of financial and volunteer support of programs that
strengthen the fabric of the local Boston community, and help keep Boston
a vibrant place for workers, companies and its citizens, DesPrez
continued. Our philosophy is that as our company grows, we will share
our growth with the community. Locally, some of the 40 organizations
benefiting from the 2007 Boston Marathon Fundraising Program included
Horizons for Homeless Children and Boston Fund for Neighborhood Development,
as well as the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, AIDS Action
Committee, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Boston Medical Center. South Boston non-profit neighbors
of John Hancock receiving entries this year were the South Boston Neighborhood
House, the South Boston Boys & Girls Club, as well as the South
Boston Mazemakers after-school program. Also raising money through
the marathon program were the Boston Public Library, Matty Eappen Foundation,
Salvation Army, and Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis
(ACP). In addition to the Boston Marathon
Fundraising Program, John Hancock continues to be committed to maintaining
its overall sponsorship of the Boston Marathon. This support amounts
to an annual cost to John Hancock of several million dollars. The economic
value to the community of the Boston Marathon weekend recently has been
calculated to be more than $95 million per year. The Boston Marathon Fundraising
Program is part of John Hancocks $11 million of support to Boston
area community programs in 2007. The company also is donating
10,000 hours of community support through its employee volunteer programs. About John Hancock and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a unit of Manulife
Financial Corporation (the Company), a leading Canadian-based financial
services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories
worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of
Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company
offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and
wealth management services through its extensive network of employees,
agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife
Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$410 billion (US$386 billion)
as at June 30, 2007. Manulife Financial Corporation
trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under 0945 on
the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com. The John Hancock unit, through
its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers
in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial
products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable
annuities, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long term care insurance, college
savings, and other forms of business insurance. John Hancocks primary insurance
subsidiaries carry the highestAAAfinancial strength rating
from Standard & Poors Ratings Services.
|
|