City of Binghamton Proclaims “Security Mutual Week” in Recognition of Company’s Contributions

We as a country and as unique communities are only just beginning to recover from the personal and economic losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. As we work through these difficult times together, we continue to be inspired by the individuals and organizations working tirelessly to help those who have been hardest hit, and to also help brighten day-to-day life within each community. On June 8, Binghamton Mayor Richard David honored Security Mutual Life as one such organization helping to make life better in the wake of COVID-19, and he declared the week of June 8-12 Security Mutual Week in the City of Binghamton.

The mayor also recognized Visions Federal Credit Union for its support of projects helping improve life in our community. The mayor praised both organizations, saying: “They are examples of what it means to be good corporate citizens, and they are examples of what a true leader is. And we are so fortunate to have them headquartered in the City of Binghamton, headquartered in Broome County, and just have a presence across the region. . . The point is that you are on the front lines of just being attentive on what the needs of the community are—where we’ve been hurt, where we can help, where our emotions are. And I just want to tell you ‘thank you’ in advance.”

“Security Mutual is The Company That Cares^®,” said Security Mutual Life Chairman and CEO Bruce W. Boyea. “And we don’t care alone. We care with our business partners and the community, and it’s part of our social responsibility to give back to the community that gives us such great employees.”

As its newest initiative in a series of different programs helping area residents, Security Mutual announced it is teaming up with Visions Federal Credit Union to help fund the rebuilding of OurSpace, a 16,000 square-foot fully accessible playground that was destroyed by fire on June 1. Together with Visions President and CEO Tyrone Muse, Boyea announced that each company will donate $20,000 to rebuild the playground, which will continue to include equipment for all ages and abilities.

This is not the first time Security Mutual and Visions have joined forces for the betterment of the community. Security Mutual founded Sock Out Cancer in 2017 to help cancer patients who need help paying for basic financial needs. Visions has served as an event sponsor from the beginning, and together with Security Mutual is presenting a Fall benefit concert that was originally scheduled to take place this past May. When it became clear in March that the concert would need to be rescheduled due to COVID-19, and seeing how COVID-19 was also adding to the plight of cancer patients, the companies immediately donated a total of $50,000 to be distributed by the two local hospital foundations to their cancer patients in financial need. Security Mutual and Visions will continue to serve as presenting sponsors of the benefit concert—A Musical Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel—which is scheduled for October 17.

In advance of the October 17 concert, Security Mutual and WBNG treated the community to a half-hour virtual “House Concert” featuring personal performances by the musicians who will be delighting all those who attend the upcoming live concert. The community of Greater Binghamton once again showed its caring and generosity, and the House Concert raised $30,000 to benefit local cancer patients in need.

Joined by Visions and many other sponsors, Security Mutual also presents the annual Jim “Mudcat” Grant All-Star Golf Tournament, now in its 19th year. The tournament benefits the Broome County Urban League, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, and the food pantries of CHOW and Catholic Charities of Broome County. This event’s mission is now more important than ever as people struggle with the challenges caused by COVID-19, including feeding their families and providing children with safe and meaningful educational and recreational opportunities. Therefore, the Tournament is making an advance donation of $5,000 to each of the four organizations, with an additional $5,000 being donated to each organization following this year’s All-Star event, scheduled for September 3.

Security Mutual is also continuing its annual summer tradition of more than two decades, working with the City of Binghamton to provide 150+ vibrant red floral baskets throughout Downtown Binghamton. “As we work through our COVID-19 Phase 2 reopening and as people re-enter the city,” said Boyea, “just look up, because you really have to look up a little bit to see the beauty. And these flowers simply represent how beautiful Downtown Binghamton is.”

Prior to joining Mayor David in raising the Security Mutual flag to fly at half-mast over City Hall during Security Mutual Week, Boyea observed, “Just like anything that’s good, you have to keep working at it. Whatever you’re doing to make things better, it takes time, it takes energy, it takes passion.”