The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, raised $1 million at its tenth anniversary IICF Southeast Benefit Gala at The Thompson Hotel in Dallas, Texas on Thursday. The event gathered insurance professionals from Texas and the broader insurance community throughout the southeast region, along with representatives of nonprofit partners, to celebrate insurance industry philanthropy and raise funds for charity.
During the event, IICF’s Southeast Division honored Wendy Houser, Chief Territory Officer, West, at Markel, with the 2022 Philanthropic Leadership Award. Presented by Bryan Sanders, President, US Insurance Markel Corp, this annual award recognizes philanthropic excellence in the community and within the insurance industry. Houser is a prominent leader, currently serving on the board of Wholesale Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) and as President of the National Insurance Industry Council for City of Hope. She has also previously served as Chair of the IICF Southeast Division Board of Directors, and prior to her twenty plus years in insurance, Wendy served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy.
Proceeds from the 2022 Southeast Division Benefit Gala fund the IICF Southeast Community Grants Program, which supports regional charities focused on children at risk, education, disaster relief and military veterans. IICF’s Southeast Division has granted more than $5.5 million to over 250 nonprofits since its inception in 2012. More than 150 insurance industry leaders across the region have contributed to our communities through the IICF Southeast as board members, volunteers, and supporters over these past ten years.
“This year’s Southeast Benefit was a phenomenal success and a wonderful evening experiencing the generosity of our industry, sponsors, colleagues and friends,” said Joe Connelly, Chair of the IICF Southeast Division Board of Directors and President, AIG South Central Zone, North America General Insurance. “Honoring philanthropic leaders and celebrating all those in our industry who make giving back a priority, helping children, families and veterans in need, is made possible through our united work through IICF.”
The evening also featured a special activity in support of military families, a focus area in the IICF Southeast Division, in partnership with the nonprofit Our Military Kids. Reception attendees were encouraged to write notes of encouragement to local children and teens whose parents, US servicemembers, are deployed or in recovery to show appreciation for their service and sacrifices.
“We are privileged to support nonprofit organizations that are tackling some of the most crucial needs in our communities, as we form effective partnerships to help serve our neighbors in need,” said Sarah Conway, Executive Director of the IICF Southeast Division. “Through the humbling generosity of IICF supporters last year, we were also able to deliver more than 90,000 meals through our first Fill the Truck food drive campaign in eleven cities. Special thanks to all who donated goods at our Gala to kick off our 2022 food drive to help feed the hungry.”
The 2022 Southeast benefit event was generously supported by Texas Mutual as the Title sponsor and many industry sponsors, including:
- Diamond sponsors: The Henry Family and Markel
- Platinum sponsors: AIG, Amerisure and Amwins, CNA, Higginbotham, Jencap, Liberty Mutual, Ryan Turner Specialty and The Hartford
For more information regarding IICF’s Southeast Division and to donate, please visit the IICF website or contact Sarah Conway at (214) 228-2910 or sconway@iicf.com.
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for more than twenty-five years, contributing $42 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media: @doubleicf.