The Hanover Spreads Holiday Cheer With Grants to Local Non-Profits

Monday, December 24, 2012

GoLocalWorcester News Team

'Tis the season for giving, and the Hanover Insurance Group got in on the act by helping those in the greater Worcester area.

The Hanover awarded $35,000 in holiday-season grants to non-profit organizations in Worcester in the spirit of the season and in recognition of its many employee-volunteers.

"This year, as we celebrate our 160th anniversary, we are extremely honored to make these contributions on behalf of our employees, who drive our success in business and who are the heart of our tradition and commitment to community stewardship," said Jennifer Luisa, assistant vice president, corporate community relations at The Hanover.

"We hope these donations will help our local partners deliver on their missions, and help local families and children in Greater Worcester enjoy a happy and safe holiday season."

As part of the holiday-season grant program, the Hanover is sponsoring the inaugural season of the Worcester Common Oval, located behind Worcester City Hall. The new 12,000-square-foot skating rink will draw families from throughout the region to downtown Worcester to enjoy skating, concessions and music. The Oval's grand opening formed the exciting centerpiece for the Festival of Lights. To kick-off the New Year, The Hanover will be sponsoring a free skate on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 for the public from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more details, visit www.WorcesterCommonOval.com.

The Hanover is also supporting Worcester's Festival of Lights through a $5,000 grant to the American Antiquarian Society, which presents the holiday season lighting program to the City of Worcester. The grant will support students at Worcester Technical High School, who design and build street lighting displays using "green" LED lighting. In addition to the seasonal street lights in downtown Worcester, the Festival of Lights includes the city's official holiday tree lighting and choral performances.

With the weather getting colder, the Hanover will donate $5,000 to support the Coats for Kids program, which collects winter coats and other clothing for children in local schools. In addition hundreds of The Hanover's employees contribute coats, hats, mittens and gloves, and make personal donations.

In order to make sure everyone has a present under the tree this Christmas, the Hanover will make a $5,000 contribution to Toys for Tots, led by the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve. Through this program, members of the Marine Corps Reserve collect new, unwrapped toys for distribution to needy children. In addition to the company's grant, many employees will contribute both toys and funds to the organization.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy's devastating impact, The Hanover will contribute $25,000 to support the Central and Western Mass Red Cross' efforts to deliver local disaster relief services. A portion of our grant will also support the Red Cross' ongoing services, including coordinating the collection and distribution of life-saving blood and blood products, providing a wide range of health and safety courses and certifications. In addition, the Red Cross helps military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service.