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How we pulled off a virtual volunteer day

Helping others during a pandemic is essential — but not easy. Here’s how our team got it done.

At Haven Life, we believe that one key measure of good citizenship is what we can do for others — as individuals and as a team. That’s why volunteer days are a regular thing here, and why we were determined to come together for our community right now even though we’re physically apart.

While there is never a bad time to lend a helping hand, 2020 has been an especially good time to consider the impact you can have on other people — and between the ongoing pandemic, the widespread economic downturn, and the important fight for racial equality, there is plenty of opportunity.

“I've been mentoring some young kids weekly — teaching a fifth grader to code with Scratch, and helping a young refugee learn to read.”

—— Zack Shinkar, underwriting developer

So how did we do it? We couldn’t, as in years past, all gather at a food bank or deliver meals in person to the elderly. Instead, we asked our team members to volunteer locally, wherever and however they could — after all, many of us are working remotely all throughout the country. We’re happy to say the team came through. To show how big an impact they had, we thought it might be helpful to look at the numbers. (We can’t help it, we work with actuaries.)

24: Number of employees who participated in our volunteer day.

121: Total hours we volunteered.

100: Our original goal for volunteer hours.

21: Bonus volunteer hours that amounts to. (In case you didn’t want to do the math.)

18: Number of organizations that benefited, including:

We also volunteered for several local food banks, reviewed resumes with students for a fellowship program at historically black colleges and universities, and phone- / text-banked for candidates for elected office.

3,025: Number of dollars we raised (even though raising money wasn’t the primary goal).

3: Heartwarming quotes from our team we wanted to share with you:

“I did some drawings and letters to elders with Letters of Love with my son.” — Karen Camarasa Angelo, designer

“I’ve been mentoring some young kids weekly — teaching a fifth grader to code with Scratch, and helping a young refugee learn to read.” — Zack Shinkar, underwriting developer

“I volunteered this morning at the local food pantry preparing groceries for families in need — three hours of collecting shopping lists from the families and packing the bags and setting them on tables for them to pick up. I am incredibly humbled and grateful I had this opportunity.” — Asia Labrie, senior manager of our information security team

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About Louis Wilson

Louis Wilson is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in a wide array of publications, both online and in print. He often writes about travel, sports, popular culture, men’s fashion and grooming, and more. He lives in Austin, Texas, where he has developed an unbridled passion for breakfast tacos, with his wife and two children.

Read more by Louis Wilson

Our editorial policy

Haven Life is a customer-centric life insurance agency that’s backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe navigating decisions about life insurance, your personal finances and overall wellness can be refreshingly simple.

Our editorial policy

Haven Life is a customer centric life insurance agency that’s backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe navigating decisions about life insurance, your personal finances and overall wellness can be refreshingly simple.

Our content is created for educational purposes only. Haven Life does not endorse the companies, products, services or strategies discussed here, but we hope they can make your life a little less hard if they are a fit for your situation.

Haven Life is not authorized to give tax, legal or investment advice. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or investment advice. Individuals are encouraged to seed advice from their own tax or legal counsel.

Our disclosures

Haven Term is a Term Life Insurance Policy (DTC and ICC17DTC in certain states, including NC) issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001 and offered exclusively through Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC. In NY, Haven Term is DTC-NY 1017. In CA, Haven Term is DTC-CA 042017. Haven Term Simplified is a Simplified Issue Term Life Insurance Policy (ICC19PCM-SI 0819 in certain states, including NC) issued by the C.M. Life Insurance Company, Enfield, CT 06082. Policy and rider form numbers and features may vary by state and may not be available in all states. Our Agency license number in California is OK71922 and in Arkansas 100139527.

MassMutual is rated by A.M. Best Company as A++ (Superior; Top category of 15). The rating is as of Aril 1, 2020 and is subject to change. MassMutual has received different ratings from other rating agencies.

Haven Life Plus (Plus) is the marketing name for the Plus rider, which is included as part of the Haven Term policy and offers access to additional services and benefits at no cost or at a discount. The rider is not available in every state and is subject to change at any time. Neither Haven Life nor MassMutual are responsible for the provision of the benefits and services made accessible under the Plus Rider, which are provided by third party vendors (partners). For more information about Haven Life Plus, please visit: https://havenlife.com/plus

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