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(Rock Island, Ill.) — Royal Neighbors of America, one of the largest, women-led providers of life insurance and annuities, has announced a $15,000 donation to Quad City area nonprofit organizations struggling to meet increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $15,000 donation comes on the heels of the nearly $100,000 Royal Neighbors has invested in its 170 local chapters nationwide so far this year. “During this challenging time, Royal Neighbors recognizes that many nonprofits, as well our community chapters, are experiencing significant challenges. While nopprofits are seeing an influx of new clients and making adjustments to deliver on their missions in new ways, our own chapter members are finding creative ways to support causes closer to home in a time of social distancing,” explains Amy Jones, Director of Philanthropy, Royal Neighbors.

The Child Abuse Council was one local recipient of funding. “The increased isolation and stress that families are faced with due to Covid‐19 will undoubtedly lead to an increased risk of child abuse in our community,” says Brooke Hendrickx, Director of Development and Communications, Child Abuse Council. “With the help of partners like Royal Neighbors, our programs will be available to meet the needs of the community as they arise — through education, support, and treatment programs.” Three other organizations, Dress for Success Quad Cities, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, and the Quad Cities Community Foundation, were included in the $15,000 donation to strengthen their respective outreach for women seeking employment, programming supporting Quad City youth, and disaster relief.

Vice president of Development at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, Ann Calder, the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund said, “Royal Neighbors of America represents the very best of our community—an organization made of people and members deeply committed to mission, and to the broader communities they serve. Their generous gifts to the fund will allow our community to respond to the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic now, and in the months ahead. We are lucky to have them as a partner in this critical work."

Local Royal Neighbors members have also benefited from the organization’s national funding of its chapters. In Rock Island, Royal Neighbors Chapter 20032 Leader Julie Bender, a member for more than 10 years, says her army of volunteer sewers have stitched and distributed more than 500 masks to help protect Quad Citians. “We wanted to be proactive in sharing the protective equipment free of charge to others,” Julie proudly explains. “People always ask to buy a mask, but I simply tell them, ‘No, I will give you a mask.’ Why? Because it’s the Royal Neighbors way.”

Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President/CEO, affirms Royal Neighbors’ mission of insuring lives and serving communities. “For 125 years, Royal Neighbors has been able to leverage the success of our business to support local communities across America, including our own Quad Cities. We are incredibly inspired by all of our partners and members who lead unique missions to ease suffering and contribute to the stability, growth, and well-being of every neighbor during these unprecedented and trying times.”