IICF Week of Giving celebrates volunteerism amidst a crisis

Despite the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, insurance professionals have remained fully committed to supporting charitable causes across the U.S. and beyond. The annual Week of Giving, hosted by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), is a prime example of that dedication. From October 10-17, 2020, insurance professionals in the U.S. and U.K. will join together to participate in virtual opportunities and select in-person, socially distanced service projects as part of the industry's largest ongoing volunteer initiative. Since its inception in 1998, IICF's Week of Giving has welcomed well over 110,000 volunteers who have served more than 300,000 volunteer hours. "In this most unprecedented year, we have seen the insurance industry's philanthropic resolve and dedication to community in so many meaningful ways, including an enthusiastic embrace of virtual volunteering," said Bill Ross, IICF CEO, in a statement. "Although it may look a bit different this year with fewer in-person options, IICF has worked closely with our nonprofit partners to identify and adapt safe and creative volunteer projects to ensure that our Week of Giving, now in its twenty-second year, will continue to make a positive and lasting impact in our communities." The 2020 Week of Giving will focus on the support of nonprofits addressing early literacy and education, children and families at risk of food insecurity and homelessness, veteran causes and more. A few of the projects this year include:

• IICF Western Division: A Million Thanks - At Home Project that invites volunteers to write cards, letters, emails, and prayer messages of appreciation for past and present members of the U.S. military.
• IICF Midwest Division: Build with Habitat for Humanity Summit County, where volunteers will help build a home for a partner family in Ohio.
• IICF Texas/Southeast Division: Letters to Survivors, in partnership with Outbound, invites volunteers to write letters of encouragement to human trafficking survivors.
• IICF Northeast Division: American Heart Association - 2020 Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk Digital Experience. This year's Heart Walk will join 1 million participants who will walk wherever they are located.
• IICF United Kingdom: Donate Women's Clothes & Accessories to support Dress for Success London and the women they serve.

The Week of Giving also arrives on the heels of the IICF International Step Up Challenge, which benefitted the IICF Children's Relief Fund. Nearly 1,000 insurance professionals participated in a six-week exercise challenge that raised more than $45,000 for nonprofits servicing children at risk. The IICF also is helping children made vulnerable by the pandemic and has contributed 1 million meals to children in need and raised $1.3 million. Scroll through the gallery for photos of past IICF philanthropic projects, and click here to learn more about IICF Week of Giving and register for volunteer projects. Related: 

• A week of giving back
• Insurance Speak: An inside look at the IICF
• IICF gets creative about giving back during COVID-19