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Family Heritage Life

Company: Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America
Company Description: Family Heritage Life Insurance Company FHL) founded in 1989 in Cleveland, Ohio has experienced explosive growth since inception and is recognized across the country as an innovative leader marketing supplemental health insurance products. Its product portfolio includes cancer, intensive care, heart and accident insurance with a unique “return of premium” benefit.
Nomination Category: Company, Office & Product Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program

Nomination Title: Family Heritage's Charitable Involvement

   1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Family Heritage Life Insurance (FHL) has been committed to supporting several charities since its founding in 1989.  As a provider of cancer, heart, and accident insurance, FHL supports events relating to cancer and heart research, as well as local, community-oriented charities.  

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is Family Heritage’s patron charity which has recognized FHL’s efforts.  Throughout the year, employees and sales agents across the country raise funds for cancer research.  To date, over $800,000 has been raised for St. Jude’s.  

Harvest for Hunger feeds hungry people in 19 counties throughout Northeastern Ohio.  Since 1999, FHL has played a very active role in
supporting this cause, and each year has increased its contributions.  Although Family Heritage sponsors events throughout the year, the month of March is the biggest fundraising push.  During this time, there are a variety of games, contests, raffles, auctions, team competitions, and luncheons that are held in order to raise funds for Harvest for Hunger.  In 2005, a total of $18,258 was raised by our 80 employees.  Last year, Family Heritage received the Worley Award.  This prestigious award is given to organizations with fewer than 200 employees who have demonstrated “HOPE”, Humanity, Originality, Participation, and Enthusiasm, in the fight against hunger and who have the highest per capita results.

Each of Family Heritage’s six executives is actively involved with different charities and helps to run these organizations.  The President/Chief
Executive Officer is a sponsor of the Pillar Awards and is a member of the Harvest for Hunger Board.  The Senior Vice-President/Chief Financial Officer works closely with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, an organization whose motto is “To motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership.”  The Senior Vice-President/Chief Operations Officer is Chairman for Wigs for Kids, an organization whose primary purpose is to help children with cancer to feel better about themselves by providing wigs to them at no cost.  Our Senior Vice-President/Actuary has a strong belief and
commitment in therapeutic horseback riding.  The Boy Scouts of America is very close to the heart of our Vice-President/Chief Marketing Officer.  FHL’s Vice-President/General Counsel has ties with Julie Billiart, a grade school for students with learning challenges.

The executives’ enthusiasm in so many charitable organizations sparks the employees to be active in the organizations they believe in.  Team FHL, “For a Healthy Life,” is a program developed by the employees for participation in charity events.  This team is comprised of employees and their families who donate time and resources to Race for the Cure, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the American Heart Association.  FHL donates to each of these events.

The goal of Family Heritage Life Insurance is to allow employees to give something back to their community.  This goal is reflected in the active
volunteer effort and financial leadership in support of the many charity events and organizations that FHL has made an integral part of its culture. 
Indeed, every employee is given one-half day off each year, with pay, to help a charity during the work week, a critical time to find volunteers.

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

http://www.familyheritagelife.com

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:

Mr. Lewis founded Family Heritage Life Insurance Company in 1989 following eight years in the insurance industry.  Prior to forming Family Heritage, Mr. Lewis joined Capitol American Life Insurance Company in 1983 as Senior Vice President-Operations.  In 1984, Mr. Lewis moved to the Sales area and became responsible for the Direct Sales Division.  In 1987, he was promoted to President of Capitol Consumer Marketing.  His prior business experience included Progressive Insurance Company, Central Trust Company and Picker International Corporation.

A compassionate man, Mr. Lewis is committed to charitable causes and has placed a high corporate priority on community service.