Supporters Can Help Double the Donation to $10,000 by Voting for their Agent Giving Story
Vermont Business Magazine Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance have awarded Barrett Insurance Agency a 2023 Make More Happen Award for its volunteerism with Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network, Inc. (NEKCAN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing grants to those fighting cancer while raising awareness and supporting cancer research in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The award includes an initial donation of $5,000 for Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network, which can be doubled to $10,000 just by having community supporters vote online.
Starting Saturday, April 1, the Barrett Insurance Agency and NEKCAN Agent Giving story will be highlighted on the official Make More Happen microsite at www.agentgiving.com/barrett-insurance-agency where supporters can vote to help the team reach their donation goal. If the featured story receives a mix of at least 500 votes and comments, the $5,000 donation will be raised to $10,000.
All donation proceeds will be used to provide direct monetary support to individuals being treated for cancer in the Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex in Northern Vermont counties). This includes paying for gas for patients to drive to and from treatment, purchasing heating oil for their tanks to keep warm in the winter, covering the cost of groceries and so much more.
“As this organization is so close to our hearts, we’re hoping to make a real difference in the lives of our community members who are the most in need,” said Michael Barrett, Barrett Insurance Agency Co-Principal and Co-Founder and President of NEKCAN. “We are grateful to Liberty Mutual and Safeco for providing much-needed funds to continue our impactful work and thrilled at the opportunity to double the donation just by calling on the community to show their support.”
Barrett, a founding member and current President of NEKCAN, has been involved with supporting those fighting cancer following his mother’s battle with Ovarian cancer in 2007. He is joined by his stepbrother Garth Leach, another founding member and current Vice President of NEKCAN, whose father also passed away from cancer. Through NEKCAN, they hold fundraising events to directly support other local individuals battling cancer. Starting with a zoom meeting that turned into countless dedicated hours and various hosted events to spread awareness, NEKCAN raised over $50,000 in its first year in 2021.
“Barrett Insurance Agency is a shining example of our independent agents’ endless dedication to their nonprofit partners through their volunteering, fundraising and overall awareness efforts,” said Deborah Bissell, Safeco Insurance Northeast Senior Region Territory Manager. “The Make More Happen Awards allow our agents to spread the word about their good deeds and we hope it inspires other in New England to get involved.”
Throughout 2023, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select up to 37 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award donating up to $370,000 to the nonprofits they support. Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application and photos demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit.
About Liberty Mutual Insurance
Liberty Mutual’s purpose is to help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. The promise we make to our customers throughout the world is to provide protection for the unexpected, delivered with care. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, Mass., today we are the fifth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2018 gross written premium. We also rank 75th on the fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2018 revenue. We employ nearly 50,000 people in 30 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of small commercial insurance products and services through our independent agent partners, including business owners policy, comprehensive business package, inland marine, workers compensation and more.
About Safeco Insurance
In business since 1923, Safeco Insurance sells personal automobile, homeowners and specialty products through a network of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company. You can learn more about us by visiting www.Libertymutualinsurance.com and www.Safeco.com.
Barrett Insurance Agency
Serving the insurance needs of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and North Country of New Hampshire since 1989. Owners, Michael and Jennifer Barret are proud to be a second-generation husband and wife agency ownership, following in the footsteps of Michael’s parents. The agency offers many lines of insurance, with home, auto, farm, commercial, flood and life insurance. Learn more at www.thebarrettagency.com.
Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network (NEKCAN)
Formed in 2022, the Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network, or NEKCAN for short, raises funds to assist those fighting cancer in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, while also raising awareness and supporting cancer fighting causes to benefit all. NEKCAN wats to ensure those fighting cancer in our area know they are not alone, offering financial assistance to recipients who apply for help. Learn more at www.nekcan.org.
JOHNSBURY, VT (March 30, 2023) — Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network
