Newsroom

Nation of Neighbors℠ award and grant builds nonprofit ‘ripple effect’

Rock Island, Ill. (January 12, 2024) – Royal Neighbors of America, a women-led fraternal benefit society based in Rock Island, Ill. has presented North American Senior Benefit’s Partner and The Dream Makers Ripple Effect Foundation Founder Ashley Colie with a Nation of Neighbors empowerment award and $10,000 grant.

Nation of Neighbors is Royal Neighbors’ signature women’s empowerment program. It recognizes and supports women who work to empower women and girls through a nonprofit, business, or program. Nation of Neighbors recipients are influential leaders who exemplify the Royal Neighbors “neighbor-helping-neighbor” mission of community service.

Ashley is an appointed Agent with Royal Neighbors of America to sell Royal Neighbor’s life insurance products. After finding success in building their life insurance business, Ashley Colie and her husband, Dustin decided it was time for them to share their blessings with their community. In 2023, they established the Dream Makers Ripple Effect Foundation to initiate and empower a “ripple effect” of kindness within their community by instilling hope into the hearts of those who have become recently disabled, taken over by illness, or experienced the tragic loss of a loved one.

Their event, Operation: Christmas Blessing, invites selected families to shop together for clothing and personal hygiene items. Another group of volunteers shop from the families’ Christmas wish lists. The gifts are wrapped and delivered to the families before Christmas day. “Pure joy is on their faces when they receive these gifts,” said Ashley.

Selected “Ripple” families are invited and encouraged to participate as volunteers for future events for new Ripple families. “We believe one simple act has the power to ripple across this great nation,” said Ashley.

Nation of Neighbors Nominations can be submitted by Royal Neighbors members and employees. Royal Neighbors Regional Sales Executive, Michael Torrenti nominated Ashley and The Dream Makers Ripple Effect Foundation for the award and grant. “Ashley’s business success has enabled her to become a grassroots philanthropist in her local community,” said Michael. “I nominated her for the Nation of Neighbors award because of the impact the Ripple Effect Foundation has on recipient families. It will be felt for years to come.”

“At Royal Neighbors of America, we are deeply committed to supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference in supporting women and serving their communities,” said CEO and President Zarifa Reynolds. “The Dream Makers Ripple Effect Foundation exemplifies the spirit of selflessness and endurance that aligns with our organization’s mission and values. We look forward to witnessing the continued impact of the Dream Makers Ripple Effect Foundation and are proud to stand alongside them in making a difference in the lives of those who need it most."

The Ripple Effect Foundation will use the Nation of Neighbors grant to create two scholarships in honor of their first Ripple Recipient, Benjamin Lancaster, who passed away from cancer at the age of four. “Two high school students will receive the ‘Benjamin Lancaster Speak Life Scholarship’ in 2024 and ‘ripple’ kindness throughout our community,” shared Ashley.

To date, Royal Neighbors has awarded more than $2.5 million in Nation of Neighbors grants nationwide. “We adore Royal Neighbors because they love giving back to communities,” added Ashley. “We believe this is what we’re all called to do and makes all the difference in the world, one individual and one family at a time.”

More about Royal Neighbors of America

Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895 as a membership organization by nine pioneering women who recognized the need to insure the lives of women and children. Now, with more than 250,000 members nationwide, Royal Neighbors of America offers life insurance and annuity products to its members and is driven by its mission of supporting women and serving communities. The organization’s employees, members, and chapters across the country drive the mission through localized volunteerism and philanthropy programs making social impact the cornerstone of their work. In 2020, Royal Neighbors was upgraded to “A Excellent” (3rd highest out of 13) by the AM Best Company for overall financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to certificate holders. The rating was affirmed as of November 17, 2023. In 2022, Royal Neighbors delivered $24.5 million in social good, record revenue and received an all-time high score from the Great Place to Work® employee survey. In 2023 Royal Neighbors achieved their seventh Great Place to Work Certification. For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, go to royalneighbors.org.