Community Corner
Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida receives $15,000 from Northwestern Mutual
Contributing to the community is a way of life for Rich Durnwald. He is being recognized by Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, for his work with Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Southwest Florida as a recipient of the company’s 20th annual Community Service Award.
Durnwald, a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual – Fort Myers, was chosen due to his outstanding volunteerism, earning him a $15,000 grant for CAC. The honor identifies 16 Northwestern Mutual financial professionals that demonstrate exemplary service with a local nonprofit, and awards the organization with a grant on behalf of the volunteer’s work.
CAC is a crisis center that helps mentally, sexually and physically abused children through therapeutic counseling, parenting education and preventive programs. Durnwald became involved with the organization in 2008 when he was asked to participate in a capital campaign and was struck by the number of children affected by violence in his community. Currently, he serves as the board president for CAC.
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“CAC has been treating children and their families for 32 years without much community recognition,” said Durnwald. “Their important work doesn’t get publicized due to its sensitive nature; but for me, it was a cause I could not ignore.”
The nonprofit will use the grant money to fund its Pine Manor after school and summer program, one of the organization’s community outreach prevention programs for at-risk children.
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“Achieving meaningful, lasting change in communities is only possible when someone takes the first step,” said John Kordsmeier, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “The work Rich does not only impacts those involved in the organization, but serves as a model for all of us to follow.”
The Community Service Program honors 16 financial professionals throughout the country who consistently work as exceptional volunteers in their communities. Since 1995, the company has donated more than $4 million to nonprofits on behalf of its representatives.
