National Life Group,National Life Group will donate $120,000 to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Vermont stemming from the destruction of Tropical Storm Irene, CEO Mehran Assadi announced today. In addition Assadi said the company will match dollar-for dollar every donation that its 900 employees make to Vermont flood relief organizations. ‘Our hearts go out to those affected by this disaster,’ he said. ‘National Life has been rooted in Vermont since 1848 and we want to do our part to rebuild the lives, homes, and businesses of our neighbors.’ A number of National Life employees suffered losses in the flooding and the company has created a separate emergency assistance fund focused on their needs. Hundreds of National Life employees have used their volunteer time to help their neighbors clean up from the flood damage. National Life allows employees 40 hours a year to volunteer in the community on company time. ‘Employees across the company spent last week helping colleagues, neighbors and businesses dig out and clean up,’ said Assadi. ‘They are back out there this week. The need is so great.’ The $120,000 corporate donation will come from the National Life Group Charitable Foundation and will be divided among six organizations, with an emphasis on groups and funds focused on Washington County where the company headquarters are located. The recipients are the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund; the Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund; Revitalizing Waterbury; Northfield Emergency Relief Fund; Mad River Community Fund, and the Central Vermont Community Action Council. Assadi said the company dollar-for-dollar match program will broaden the scope of the corporate donation by including funds and organizations that reflect specific needs. ‘There are so many worthwhile groups and funds in the state, raising money to help farmers, or to help repair and replace covered bridges, or to help specific regions of the state,’ said Assadi. ‘By matching our employees’ donations we will help finance an array of programs.’ National Life Group has helped provide flood assistance in other ways, by donating office space to Green Mountain Transit Authority, which was washed out of its headquarters, and by providing modular office walls for relocated state offices. Assadi noted that the company is running a clothing and supply drive for flood victims, and delivered 80 pounds of organic potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and broccoli from the company’s community garden to the Northfield Food Pantry on Friday. ‘Every little thing by every person makes a big difference,’ said Assadi. ‘Taken together, working together, we will put Vermont back together.’ September 6, 2011
