MassMutual Donates $100,000 to Aid Tornado Relief Efforts in Western Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced today it will donate $100,000 to assist relief efforts for the tornadoes that struck Springfield and the Western Massachusetts region on June 1.  The company donation, as well as funds contributed by its eligible employees and financial professionals and matched through its Matching Gift Program, will support the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter designated for the Western Mass. Tornado Relief Fund.

Although the tornado struck many areas in the Springfield region, the company's facilities – including its major office buildings in Springfield and Chicopee, Mass., and Enfield, Conn. – did not sustain any damage.  The company remains open for business and stands ready to respond to customer inquiries and requests.  

The company has also taken steps to assist employees, including posting regular updates on storm damage to its workforce, offering counseling through its employee assistance program, and establishing a communication link via e-mail with employees who may have been displaced by the storm.

MassMutual is also working with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and other state and local officials to determine other ways in which the company and its employees and financial professionals may assist with relief efforts.  

"Our sincerest thoughts and sympathies are with those who were impacted by this devastating event.  We hope that these funds and efforts from our volunteers will help bring comfort and security to those who have been impacted, including our own employees and financial professionals who call this region home," said Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO, MassMutual.  "While a destructive storm of this magnitude is unprecedented for our region, we are ever confident in the resiliency of Western Massachusetts and MassMutual stands ready to assist on the road to recovery."

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

SOURCE Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company