Mel Foster Insurance and The Selective Insurance Group Foundation joined forces to support the positive efforts of Jordan’s Joy through a $500 grant. The Selective Insurance Group Foundation is a philanthropic affiliate of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGI).
“Mel Foster Insurance wants to be a positive force in the communities we serve,” said Marc Engels, President, Mel Foster Insurance. “Through combined efforts with partners like The Selective Insurance Group, we have an opportunity to make a difference in children and their families suffering from life threatening illnesses.”
The grant represents a $500 donation from Mel Foster Insurance, matched by a $500 grant from The Selective Insurance Group Foundation. The grant will help Jordan’s Joy’s efforts to help bring joy and comfort to families battling life threatening and rare diseases.
“At Selective, Response is everything®… and this includes responding to the communities where we live and work to give back and help those in need. Together with Mel Foster Insurance, we are proud to support Jordan’s Joy and its efforts to make a difference in the community,” said Chuck Musilli, Senior Vice President, Distribution Strategies, Selective.
Mel Foster Co.’s Color the Quads raised $70,500 for local charities during its fourth and final colorful run on May 21 in Bettendorf, Iowa. Over 1,300 5K participants, 200 children racers, sponsors and volunteers contributed to the cause. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Color the Quads were distributed to local charities. Jordan’s Joy, NAMI – Greater Mississippi Valley and YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln and Youth Solutions received $23,500 each.
Jordan’s Joy board member, Michelle McMullen said, “Thank you all for the incredible experience! Because of Mel Foster’s hard work and determination, the Quad City community has come together once again to help kids and their families in our area. Jordan’s Joy was honored and humbled to be such a special part of it.”
“This was a fantastic opportunity to get the word out about education resources for families living with a serious mental health condition. We are grateful to those persons who voted with their feet to support NAMI,” said Angela Gallagher, executive director, National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Mississippi Valley.
“Mel Foster and Color the Quads have done more than just provide a fun and healthy family event for our community,” said Scott County Family Y CEO Brad Martell. “Because the proceeds benefit YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln and the Solutions Outreach program, hundreds of students and their families will be supported and encouraged to be the next generation of leaders for our community! The effects will impact all of us for years to come!”
The event’s Color Extraordinaire, Color Party, Kid’s Color Dash, Color Explosion and Color Burst sponsors include; Mel Foster Co., XPAC, Tri-City Electric Co., American Bank & Trust, Active Endeavors, Perl Mortgage, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C., Alcoa, Build To Suit, Enviromark, Gomez May Law, Hawkeye Paving Corp., Hy-Vee, KWQC, Mickle Communications, Pear Advertising, Pella Windows & Doors, Quad-City Times, Radon Solutions, Terrostar Interactive Media, TMI – Total Maintenance Inc., Twin Rivers Bank & Trust Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., and Victorystore.com.
“We were amazed once again by the generous support of our sponsors and this community. By raising $254,854 for local charities over Color the Quads’ four-year run, we know we’ve made a positive impact in our community, to strengthen families and support youth. It was a privilege to lead this project during its successful run and we are so proud of what was collectively achieved,” said Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage for Mel Foster Co.
Mel Foster Color the Quads is pleased to announce its 4th annual 5K Race raised over $70,000 and surpassed its four-year goal to raise a quarter of a million dollars for local charities.
Saturday’s race hit the cumulative four-year attendance mark of 10,000 participants, including adults and children.
Mel Foster Color the Quads had a four-year run in the Quad Cities and reached the following milestones:
2013 – $51,000 donated to two charities
2014 – $61,474 donated to three charities
2015 – $71,880 donated to three main charities and 13 other local charities
2016 – over $70,000 and three charities
Lynsey Engels, president of Mel Foster Co. Brokerage Division and Color the Quads committee chair, said, “We’d like to thank every runner, walker, volunteer and sponsor who helped make this event a huge success over the last four years. It’s remarkable what can be achieved when everybody works together. We know the funds raised this year and in the past help local families in many ways. Our goal was to top the $250,000 mark in our final year, so we’re really excited the community got behind this event and helped us achieve this fundraising milestone.”
Engels added, “Putting on a community event of this size takes a lot of hard work from volunteers. We could not prepare all of the swag bags, set up the kid’s race/5K race routes, color and water stations along the course without dedicated volunteers who generously give their time. Of course there is a large team of volunteers who help on race day to make sure everything goes smoothly for the racers. Mel Foster Co. agents and staff from residential real estate, commercial real estate, insurance and land development were involved in every aspect of this event over the last four years from choosing the charity recipients, obtaining sponsors, volunteering countless hours, promoting and participating in this event and it could not have been pulled off without them.”
During the race’s four-year run, 24 local charities received funds generated through sponsorships and race registration. “These numbers really show how compassionate our community is about backing charities that help children and families. Mel Foster Color the Quads has been a great way to make a significant impact and we appreciate everyone who has played some kind of a role in its success,” concludes Engels.
Charity Summary:
2013 – YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln, Youth Solutions, Children’s’ Therapy Center of the QC
2014 – Child Abuse Council, March of Dimes, Rick’s House of Hope
2015 – Bethany for Children & Families, Gigi’s Playhouse & Hand-in-Hand
13 other charities:
Bettendorf Library, Camp Genesis, Family Resources, Family Museum, Humility of Mary Housing, Kennedi’s Kisses, Living Lands & Waters, Project Renewal, Quad City Botanical Center, Student Hunger Drive, Toys for Tots, Tudi’s Tribe and YMCA.
2016 – Jordan’s Joy, NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley, YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln & Youth Solutions
“Our goal when we started this journey was to provide a unique experience for the Quad City area that was only available in larger cities while raising awareness and funds for charities in the areas we serve. It speaks volumes for the Quad Cities as a whole that we were able to accomplish this together and serves as a great reminder about what a great place the Quad Cities is to live and work,” commented Engels.
The Mel Foster Co. Color the Quads committee is pleased to announce the charity recipients for the fourth and final Color the Quads race to be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The 2016 charities are Jordan’s Joy, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Greater Mississippi Valley, and YMCA for Camp Abe Lincoln and Youth Solutions Programs. In 2015, the Color the Quads event raised over $73,000 that was distributed to local charities, 3 main charities and 13 other charities, and a similar goal is in place for fundraising in 2016.
Michelle McMullen with Jordan’s Joy said, “Jordan’s Joy is extremely honored to have been selected as a 2016 Color the Quads charity recipient. Jordan’s Joy supports families battling life-threatening illness or facing life-altering events by filling funding gaps for comfort items, meals, gas cards, or medical bills that are not traditionally covered by other charitable sources. We are thrilled to be involved in one of the area’s premier events and look forward to our partnership in 2016!”
“We are grateful that Mel Foster agents and employees continue to support NAMI outreach efforts. Funds raised through Color the Quads will be used to bring even more education to Quad Cities families to effectively support a loved one living with a serious mental health condition,” said Michael Freda, board president, NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley.
“Our community and our YMCA is made healthier and stronger by the volunteers who bring together great people with events like Color The Quads,” said YMCA CEO Brad Martell. “Color The Quads helps more kids, families, adults and seniors have access to healthy programs at the Y.”
Lynsey Engels, president of Mel Foster Co. Brokerage Division and Color the Quads committee chair, said, “We are thrilled to partner with three amazing charities on this colorful community event. We look forward to giving the participants another fun filled day with an exciting race course for 2016!”
The 2016 Color the Quads 5K will take place on Saturday, May 21 near Cumberland Square at 2300 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa. Registration fees and sign up date will be announced before the end of this year. Stay tuned at www.colorthequads.com for more information.
About Mel Foster Co. Inc.
Mel Foster Co. is a recognized leader for real estate and insurance. Mel Foster Co. Real Estate specializes in residential sales and offers services for a broader spectrum of property transactions including commercial, farm and land, land development and management, relocation and new construction. Founded in 1921, it is one of Iowa’s largest independently owned real estate companies. Mel Foster Insurance was founded in 1932 and represents over 25 insurance carriers and offers coverage for residential and commercial clients.
About Jordan’s Joy
Jordan’s Joy was established in memory of Jordan Schmidt. Jordan was a true hero that passed away at the age of 15 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Though he faced tough battles, his spirit and positive attitude never wavered, and he was an inspiration to all that knew him. The purpose of Jordan’s Joy is to fill the void that a Quad City family may have while battling life-threatening illnesses that cannot be met by other charitable organizations. 100% of the funds raised by Jordan’s Joy stay in the Quad Cities and go to local families, as all operating expenses are donated by a local business.
About NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley
One in 10 children and one in four adults experience a serious mental health condition in any given year. This grassroots organization is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, providing support, education and advocacy to individuals and families living with mental illness. It serves residents in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois.
About the Scott County Family Y
The Scott County Family Y has been serving Eastern Iowa since 1858. We build a stronger community through Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Today, we serve 1 out of 3 people in Scott County.
Mel Foster Insurance and The Selective Insurance Group Foundation joined forces to support the positive efforts of Jordan’s Joy through a $500 grant. The Selective Insurance Group Foundation is a philanthropic affiliate of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGI).