Manulife proud community booster
Across the globe in 2014, Manulife, its employees and its programs contributed $32.8 million and 88,694 volunteer hours to non- profit organizations, so there’s no question that employees firmly believe in giving back to the communities in which they live and work.
In fact, Manulife has a long history of giving back to the community, with its first recorded charitable donation of $500 to the Muskoka Free Hospital for Consumptives in Ontario in 1904. Today, charitable donations are just one component of a broader community investment program that puts employees front and centre.
Manulife has gone as far as granting two days annually to each employee in Canada to volunteer for activities during company time. Those who volunteer more than 24 hours to a charity can apply to Manulife’s Helping Hands program for a grant of $ 500 toward that charity. Individuals who raise funds for a registered fundraising event are also eligible for matching funds of up to $ 150 through the company’s PowerMatch program.
Manulife supports a number of charities, including Habitat for Humanity for local construction projects that provide excellent opportunities for team- buildi ng and self- exploration. Roshan Basnet, director of operations optimization with Manulife’s investment division, has participated in two of these events. “Both experiences have been very rewarding and I get a sense of satisfaction that makes me proud to represent Manulife and its commitment to community.”
For 30 years, Manulife’s U. S. division, John Hancock, has been the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon. More than 10,000 volunteers contribute to the success of the marathon every year, joining more than half a million fans along the course. Employees in the U. S., Canada and Asia are given the opportunity to run in this prominent race. In 2015, Manulife’s 32 Canadian runners raised US$ 64,000 for this effort, which supported the company’s ongoing partnership with Pathways to Education.
“As the lead for the Canadian employee training program and participant in the Boston Marathon, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment not only for having raised money for Pathways to Education but also for having trained alongside my co- workers across the country, some of whom had never run more than five kilometres,” says Derek Myke, project manager for philanthropy and sponsorships. “We all committed to eating healthy and training six times a week for over seven months to make sure we completed the prestigious race.”
Beyond North America, in 2014 more than 3,000 employees and agents participated in the annual Walk for Millions that has raised more than HK$ 14 million to support 23 social- welfare agencies in Hong Kong. The Waku Waku Room program has helped establish 10 recreation spaces for children in hospitals t hroughout Japan, and more than 2,200 helmets have been distributed to students, teachers and parents in Cambodia to promote road safety.
Back in Canada, Panayiotou and her family registered their pet as a therapy dog. Weekly visits to the dementia ward at a local senior’s home provide comfort to the facility’s residents. “I struggled to find the right thing for me initially, but seeing what others at Manulife were doing helped put me on my own path.”