TOPEKA, KS, December 16, 2020 – The Security Benefit Charitable Trust, a committee representing the employees of Security Benefit and SE2, today announced a series of donations to help alleviate financial stressors for 11 Topeka-area nonprofit organizations and their recipients especially hard hit by the pandemic. The human services organizations selected for the holiday cash gifts are dedicated to helping individuals struggling with issues that include food insecurity, poverty and mental health conditions, all of which have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Put together, the donations total $74,800.
“Our company was founded on the belief that everyone deserves financial security and that people in communities take care of one another,” said Mike Kiley, chief executive officer of Security Benefit. “Through our Charitable Trust, we continue our founders’ philanthropic legacy by supporting and celebrating causes that build individuals up.”
The Security Benefit Charitable Trust directed donations to the following local nonprofits:
- Stormont Vail Hometown Heroes Fund: The Charitable Trust presented a $20,000 donation to support Stormont Vail’s Health Care Heroes Fund, which provides up to $750 in emergency assistance for employees with immediate financial needs for utility, rent, child care, transportation and other assistance.
- Family Service & Guidance Center and Valeo Behavioral Health Care: Each organization received a $10,000 donation for programs that help children and adults struggling with mental health conditions.
- Harvesters: An $8,000 donation will provide food to local families and individuals, the equivalent of 24,000 meals.
- Ronald McDonald House: The Charitable Trust presented an $8,000 donation to support the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide temporary shelter and meals for families with hospitalized children.
- Washburn University: A $5,000 contribution to Washburn University’s Ichabods Moving Forward program will provide students with financial support for technology, food, and other needs as they pursue their degrees.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka: The Charitable Trust gave $4,300 to the agency, which provides after-school care, meals and other programs for children.
- LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center: A $4,000 donation will support the agency’s child abuse treatment programs and services.
- Salvation Army and United Way of Greater Topeka: The Charitable Trust presented both organizations with $2,000 each for holiday initiatives to provide food and presents for individuals and families.
- Toys for Tots: The Charitable Trust presented a $1,500 contribution to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots annual holiday drive.
“We are so grateful for Security Benefit’s gift to Stormont Vail Foundation’s Health Care Heroes Fund,” said Amy Burns, president and executive director, Stormont Vail Foundation. “It means so much to our team members that the community appreciates their work and is willing to help them through the hardships they face due to working during the pandemic.”
In March, Security Benefit and Innovation Design Group each matched a $100,000 contribution made by Topeka native and U.S. Open Champion Gary Woodland, for whom Security Benefit serves as a corporate sponsor, to support eight nonprofits struggling with the COVID-19 outbreak.