A dual approach to fighting cancer
July 10, 2017
Help Phil Richard Insurance earn an even larger donation to Tough Warrior Princesses. If their story is shared on social media 50 or more times July 10-16, Tough Warrior Princesses will receive an additional $5,000. Use the buttons and help them reach their goal!
Raising money for cancer research is important - but research doesn't provide assistance when people fighting the disease are too tired to cook, or rides to and from treatment when they're too ill to drive.
In Amesbury, Massachusetts, the Tough Warrior Princesses organization was created to provide both financial support for research and practical assistance for cancer patients.
"Tough Warrior Princesses understand the struggle of battling cancer because many have battled it themselves," said Jacqui Richard, of Phil Richard Insurance in nearby Danvers. "They go above and beyond to show perfect strangers they don't have to struggle alone."
Phil Richard Insurance owners Phil and Patti Richard first connected with the all-volunteer nonprofit in 2009 while participating in a breast-cancer fundraiser. Then in 2015, when the company established a Community Outreach Team, employees voted to focus their efforts on Tough Warrior Princesses.
A survivor basket includes gas cards, massages, and other goodies. It also includes an intake form for recipients to request other needed services from TWP.
Today, everyone in the office gets involved. Employees participate in fundraising events such as the annual "Tri 4 the Y" mini triathlon alongside TWP members, and the office is a donation drop-off and pick-up location for survivor-basket items.
The baskets are a lifeline for women dealing with a cancer diagnosis, according to TWP president, co-founder and breast-cancer survivor Sherri Ziomek. They include high-value items such as gas cards and massage gift cards, as well as an intake form for recipients to request rides to treatments, all types of family support and other services.
Jacqui Richard, PRI business development and Patty Mellon co-founder of TWP.
Donations allow TWP to distribute about 150 baskets a year - in addition to the $300,000 they've raised for research since the organization's inception. And the support from Phil Richard Insurance has been vital.
"Simply put, PRI allows us to help more women," Ziomek said. "Beyond the work we do together, they spread the word about our cause and facilitate connections with other donors and organizations."
Members of the PRI team for the 2016 Tri for the Y, from l-r: Amanda Backe, Teddy Eliopoulos, Cindy Backe, Rosa LoGrasso-Patti, Kathleen Bisazza, Christine Eliopoulos, Mary Rawson, Jacqui Richard and Anne Richardson. Richardson is a member of PRI and also the marketing coordinator for TWP.
That dedication has earned the company a 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award, an honor that includes up to a $10,000 donation to Tough Warrior Princesses from Safeco on behalf of Phil Richard Insurance.
"This gift will help us fund about 50 baskets, and also allow us to offer more outreach and support to those in need," Ziomek said.
"TWP's mission resonates with everyone," Jacqui Richard added. "Giving back through TWP creates tight bonds among our employees and customers. People know us as an organization that truly cares," she said.
Learn more about our winners:
Raising money for cancer research is important - but research doesn't provide assistance when people fighting the disease are too tired to cook, or rides to and from treatment when they're too ill to drive.
In Amesbury, Massachusetts, the Tough Warrior Princesses organization was created to provide both financial support for research and practical assistance for cancer patients.
"Tough Warrior Princesses understand the struggle of battling cancer because many have battled it themselves," said Jacqui Richard, of Phil Richard Insurance in nearby Danvers. "They go above and beyond to show perfect strangers they don't have to struggle alone."
Phil Richard Insurance owners Phil and Patti Richard first connected with the all-volunteer nonprofit in 2009 while participating in a breast-cancer fundraiser. Then in 2015, when the company established a Community Outreach Team, employees voted to focus their efforts on Tough Warrior Princesses.
A survivor basket includes gas cards, massages, and other goodies. It also includes an intake form for recipients to request other needed services from TWP.
Today, everyone in the office gets involved. Employees participate in fundraising events such as the annual "Tri 4 the Y" mini triathlon alongside TWP members, and the office is a donation drop-off and pick-up location for survivor-basket items.
The baskets are a lifeline for women dealing with a cancer diagnosis, according to TWP president, co-founder and breast-cancer survivor Sherri Ziomek. They include high-value items such as gas cards and massage gift cards, as well as an intake form for recipients to request rides to treatments, all types of family support and other services.
Jacqui Richard, PRI business development and Patty Mellon co-founder of TWP.
Donations allow TWP to distribute about 150 baskets a year - in addition to the $300,000 they've raised for research since the organization's inception. And the support from Phil Richard Insurance has been vital.
"Simply put, PRI allows us to help more women," Ziomek said. "Beyond the work we do together, they spread the word about our cause and facilitate connections with other donors and organizations."
Members of the PRI team for the 2016 Tri for the Y, from l-r: Amanda Backe, Teddy Eliopoulos, Cindy Backe, Rosa LoGrasso-Patti, Kathleen Bisazza, Christine Eliopoulos, Mary Rawson, Jacqui Richard and Anne Richardson. Richardson is a member of PRI and also the marketing coordinator for TWP.
That dedication has earned the company a 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award, an honor that includes up to a $10,000 donation to Tough Warrior Princesses from Safeco on behalf of Phil Richard Insurance.
"This gift will help us fund about 50 baskets, and also allow us to offer more outreach and support to those in need," Ziomek said.
"TWP's mission resonates with everyone," Jacqui Richard added. "Giving back through TWP creates tight bonds among our employees and customers. People know us as an organization that truly cares," she said.
Learn more about our winners:
- Agency: Phil Richard Insurance, www.philrichardinsurance.com, Danvers, Massachusetts
- Nonprofit: Tough Warrior Princesses, www.toughwarriorprincess.com, Amesbury, Massachusetts