On a hot New York summer day, teams from 12 insurance/reinsurance companies and agencies donned their game caps to faceoff in the seventh annual 2015 Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)Charity Softball Tournament held on July 30. The 16-year-oldsoftball tradition, which became a charitable event in 2008,supports many charities. This year the selected charity was thechildren of military families in the New York tri-state region aspart of OurMilitary Kids. The organization provides assistance to childrenwhen parents are deployed or injured serving our country.

Related: Everyone wins when insurance agents get involved intheir communities

There are more than 35,000 children ages three to 18 directlyaffected by the deployment of National Guard or Reserve parentsserving in the war on terrorism. Another 54,000 have a parentrecovering from a severe injury sustained in service. Our MilitaryKids offers grants to children to cover fees associated withathletic, fine arts, and tutoring programs. This program is offeredto all children of deployed National Guard and Reserve militarypersonnel, and to children of wounded and fallen warriors in allbranches of service. Helping to make sure their kids are wellsupported is a powerful way to show appreciation to the men andwomen in our military, who each day lay their lives on the line forour freedoms.

Teams in the tournament contribute $5,000 annually to play threeconsecutive games and compete for the winning title. This year, agroup of 17 Munich Re employees with varying skill levels playedtheir hearts out. Although their results on the field did not“bring home the prize,” it was a big win in other ways.

Munich Re players recalled some memorable moments from the dayinvolving several exciting plays by teammates, including a dive forhome plate, superior bat control, and smash singles up themiddle.

(Contributed photo: IICF)

Competitors unite in common cause

The most valuable experience gained year after year, however, isthe camaraderie between not just team members, but with the othercompanies’ teams. An added bonus is the relationships and businesscontacts that often develop out of these annual tournaments.

The insurance industry by nature is very competitive, and it isalways a fulfilling sight to witness the competitive spirit beingplayed out on the field to support one common cause. The tournamentencourages an entire industry of competitors to work side-by-sidefor their communities, bringing out the good spirit and attitude ofthe players.

As one of the founding board companies in the Northeast, MunichRe’s involvement with IICF dates back over 20 years to around thetime of its inception. Our insurance industry is one that does notalways fare well in the court of public opinion. However, if youlook at all the ways we help our communities, neighbors and evenour economy, it is extremely valuable to have an organization likeIICF to showcase the tremendous value we bring.

IICF contributions since1994

The IICF not only harnesses the power of the insurance industryin what it does best—helping people in times of need—but alsoelevates the image of the industry through its many kind acts ofgiving. Since 1994, IICF has contributed more than $23.5 million inlocal community grants, nearly 200,000 hours of volunteer service,and the leadership of more than25,000 industry volunteers for programs dealing with education,children at risk, health and safety, disaster preparedness, and theenvironment.

As one of the largest participants in an industry that is sovital to society and the economy, Munich Re and its 45,000employees (including almost 5,000 in the U.S.) are committed togiving back to our communities. Munich Re's understanding ofcorporate responsibility has always involved assumingresponsibility for the communities in which we live and work. Ourconcept of corporate citizenship provides the framework for linkingour involvement in the form of donations, social sponsoring andcorporate volunteering even more strongly with content that isimportant for business. In addition to our activities in the areasof the environment, natural catastrophes, demographic change andhealth, Munich Re supports education and science as well as socialand cultural projects at its business locations.

We are proud to support the IICF, and to participate in theannual softball tournament on behalf of Our Military Kids. Itbrings together industry friends and competitors in a fun activity,all for a great cause.