Heffernan Group Ranked #43 on List of 'Top Corporate Philanthropists in the Greater Bay Area'

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Group, one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the country, has been ranked number 43 out of 60 in the list of Bay Area "Top Corporate Philanthropists" by the San Francisco Business Times.  Heffernan's current philanthropic efforts include the Garee Lee Smith Scholarship Dinner and a Facebook challenge for August.

"We are honored to continue to be a part of this prestigious list of corporate donors," said F. Mike Heffernan, President and CEO of Heffernan Group.  "We are grateful for our ability to contribute to worthy local charities and worthy students."

The Business Times list was compiled based on total cash contributions paid to Bay Area-based charitable organizations in 2009.  Heffernan's total cash contributions paid to charities in the Bay Area totaled $438,444 and cash giving per Bay Area employee reached $1,462 last year.  The firm has held a place on this list since 2003 by donating more than $2.5 million to local charities.

The Garee Lee Smith Scholarship was established by Heffernan Group in 2006 to honor the memory of a beloved employee.  Each year, the firm provides five scholarships worth up to $5,000 for any child, grandchild, relative or dependent of a Heffernan Group employee.  On August 11, 2010, scholarships were awarded at a formal dinner to Julianna Race, Masha Sokolov, Scott Esparza, Devonte Jackson, and Cole Ambrose.

Additionally, from now until August 31, 2010, Heffernan Group will be donating $1 to Collective Impact for every new person that "Likes" the firm's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/Heffins).  Collective Impact (http://www.collectiveimpact.org) is a non-profit that works to improve communities through supporting struggling families, youth organizations, and public housing.  

About Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Heffernan Insurance Brokers, formed in 1988, is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States.  Heffernan provides comprehensive insurance and financial services products to a wide range of businesses and individuals.  Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Heffernan has additional offices in San Francisco, Petaluma, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, and Orange, California; Portland, Oregon; and Chesterfield, Missouri.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named the Top Mid-Sized Broker in the United States to Work for in 2009 by Business Insurance Magazine.  Each of the firm's 410 employees is granted four paid days off per year to volunteer their time at a local nonprofit.  The Heffernan Group provides a Workplace Wellness program for all employees and many participate in active volunteering events such as the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.

For more information, please visit heffgroup.com or call 800.829.9996.  License # 0564249.

SOURCE Heffernan Insurance Brokers