Boston Marathon Charity Fundraising Nets $3 Million
Posted Thursday, 9 August, 2007
BOSTON, August 8, 2007 – John Hancock’s 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 Hancock’s $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.
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