Rockville, MD – HEROES, Inc., has received a $10,000 grant from the MassMutual Foundation as part of a national Community Service Award (CSA) program. HEROES, Inc. is one of twenty-two organizations nationally to receive an award. The MassMutual Foundation made the grant as a tribute to the volunteer efforts of George Kinigopoulos, the CEO of MassMutual Greater Washington in Rockville, MD.
“We are stronger when we come together as a community, and our Community Service Awards program recognizes a group of MassMutual financial professionals who embody this spirit, working with members of their respective neighborhoods, towns and cities, helping nonprofits with which they are involved grow and thrive,” said Dennis Duquette, Head of MassMutual Community Responsibility and President of the MassMutual Foundation. “We are proud of the time and energy George dedicates to better his community and delighted to support the great work MassMutual financial professionals do with organizations across the country.”
Since 1964, HEROES’ singular goal is to honor the supreme sacrifice made by law enforcement officers and firefighters who give their lives in the line of duty while ensuring the safety of citizens in the greater Washington area. HEROES, Inc. honors these fallen heroes by assisting their spouses and children, beginning within 24 hours of the tragic loss and continuing indefinitely.
“Funds will be used to provide financial assistance to widows and families of first responders immediately after a line of duty death. For example, HEROES will satisfy the majority of a first responder’s consumer debt including paying their mortgage for one year, paying off their credit cards and any car loans. This is an attempt to remove the fear and burden of financial obligations now facing a single parent household and to clear a path for the family to move forward. Funds are also needed to help defray the cost of grief counselors, lawyers and accountants who are addressing the specific needs the family now has because of the tragedy.”
George has been with MassMutual Greater Washington for six years. He has been committed to HEROES, Inc. since 2016 and has dedicated countless hours of time and talent to help the organization grow and flourish.
“I am very pleased that my dedication to HEROES, Inc. has been recognized by the MassMutual Foundation,” said George. “This grant will provide much needed funding to continue supporting our community through the generous and important work that Heroes does daily. Knowing that we’re helping to fund an operation that provides the families of fallen heroes with much needed financial and emotional support during their darkest hour is why we do this. I work in an industry and for a company who has always considered this our utmost responsibility. While we can’t do anything to relive a grieving family of the heartbreak of losing a loved one, through HEROES, Inc. and with the work we do at MassMutual we can ease the burden of funeral expenses, monthly bills and college education. It has been and will continue to be a great honor to work with HEROES, Inc. towards this common goal forever hoping that it will one day be unnecessary.”
About the MassMutual Foundation
The MassMutual Foundation strives to broaden economic opportunity for America's youth and their families by investing in financial education for middle and high school students across the United States and economic development and education locally in Springfield, Mass. The Foundation is a reflection of MassMutual’s longstanding dedication to corporate citizenship and its unwavering commitment to the communities in which we do business. To learn more about the MassMutual Foundation please visit www.massmutual.com/responsibility.
About MassMutual
MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.
CRN202008-216182