Security Mutual Honored During “Security Mutual Week” for Its Many Contributions

At a ceremony held outside Binghamton City Hall on June 7, Security Mutual Life was honored for the many ways the Company has given back to its home community and beyond. Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David was joined by Broome County Executive Jason T. Garnar, New York State Senator Frederick J. Akshar II, New York State Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo, Chairman of the Broome County Legislature Daniel J. Reynolds, and Dick’s Sporting Goods Open Tournament Director John Karedes in thanking the Company and its employees for the many and varied ways they enrich the quality of life in Greater Binghamton and in New York State.

Mayor David presented Security Mutual Life Chairman and CEO Bruce W. Boyea with a resolution proclaiming the week of June 7 to be Security Mutual Week in the City of Binghamton, noting that the resolution is a token of thanks, friendship and gratitude for all that Security Mutual does for the residents of the City of Binghamton. He also presided over the raising of Security Mutual’s corporate flag over Binghamton City Hall by Boyea and Security Mutual President and COO Kirk R. Gravely. “One of the best things that you can do as mayor is raise the flag above City Hall in what is a token of appreciation for what a specific company . . . does for the betterment not only for the City of Binghamton, but our county, our state and our nation as a whole,” the mayor said. “Without exception, Security Mutual exemplifies what it means to be a good corporate citizen in the City of Binghamton.”

The mayor thanked Security Mutual for working with the City of Binghamton for the 23^rd consecutive year to add to the area’s summertime beauty by helping provide 154 lush, vibrant red hanging flower baskets to adorn Downtown Binghamton’s historic lampposts.

He also referenced how funds raised through one particular Security Mutual initiative—the Jim “Mudcat” Grant All-Star Golf Tournament—are vital to a number of community organizations and the programs they offer, including helping food reach the tables of families in need. In addition, a separate fundraising event held at the tournament benefits a joint project of which the mayor said he is particularly proud: a house on Pine Street that provides a home for approximately 10 formerly homeless U.S. military veterans.

Security Mutual was also honored for its work with Sock Out Cancer®, an initiative the Company launched in February 2017 with a very special mission: to assist financially distressed cancer patients and their families pay for non-medical necessities such as food, transportation and housing so patients can focus their energy on fighting cancer.

New York State Senator Fred Akshar and New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo presented Boyea with a joint legislative resolution commemorating the 5^th Annual Sock Out Cancer Day on June 6, 2021, in conjunction with the observance of National Cancer Survivors Day®. “Yesterday was Cancer Survivors Day,” said Lupardo, “and we passed a resolution acknowledging not only Cancer Survivors Day, but the fantastic work that you have done for five years now on the Sock Out Cancer campaign, which has raised thousands of dollars for hospital systems that have gotten it to the families who really need assistance when their loved one is receiving care. So we can’t thank you enough for that effort, for the socks, for the ideas that you come up with to help our community.”

Sporting a Sock Out Cancer shirt featuring the multi-colored pair of socks representing cancer in all its forms, Senator Akshar noted that to date, Sock Out Cancer has raised nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for Binghamton’s two hospitals alone. “There’s a recurring theme here when it comes to Security Mutual,” said Akshar. “In all of the programs and the projects, you’re really having a lasting impact, you’re leaving an indelible mark on the people of the communities of which you are serving, so on behalf of the people I so proudly represent, I say thank you for everything that you’re doing.”

“This means so much to us as a Company for both of you to proclaim Sock Out Cancer Day in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day,” said Boyea. “It’s powerful and it’s a team effort, and we are deeply honored.” Boyea went on to note that the Sock Out Cancer initiative has now expanded to be in four states and fifteen hospitals, and that there are lot more things happening, including a Sock Out Cancer Awareness Day to be held on July 2 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

“This partnership between the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and Sock Out Cancer, that’s new,” said Dick’s Sporting Goods Open Tournament Director John Karedes. “But the partnership between Security Mutual and Broome [County Community] Charities has been going on really for 50 years. We are very excited this year to utilize Friday, July 2nd, during the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open as a springboard to show the world what Sock Out Cancer is all about. And certainly the hope is through the strength of the PGA Tour Champions and potential exposure through Golf Channel telecasts that more people are going to learn about Sock Out Cancer, because as we all know, cancer has affected each and every one of us at one time or another. Again, we’re proud to be a part of this, but most importantly, the partnership that we have, we look forward to taking it to a different level, and we’re going to continue to grow it for years to come.”

Another upcoming Sock Out Cancer event is a benefit concert that will feature a musical tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel. The concert will take place on October 8 at the Oncenter Crouse-Hinds Theater in Syracuse, and on October 9 at the Broome County Forum Theatre in Binghamton. Because pediatric cancer patients in Greater Binghamton are treated at the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, this year the Binghamton concert net proceeds will be shared between the Lourdes and UHS Hospital Foundations and the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, for distribution to financially distressed cancer patients in Broome County.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said that he has spoken to area families who have benefited from the Sock Out Cancer initiative. He noted how important it is to help cancer patients experiencing financial hardship so they don’t have to worry about how they will pay for food or how they will be able to afford gas to get to their appointments, but instead can focus all their energy on fighting cancer and getting well. “I can’t wait for the concert, I’m encouraging everybody in the community to come out and support it, and I can’t think of a better thing to support in terms of a cause than Sock Out Cancer,” said Garnar. “So thank you from the bottom of our heart, and on behalf of Broome County, thank you so much for what you do.”

“Security Mutual is a national company, but we are absolutely proud to be domiciled in New York State, and we are honored that since 1886 when the Company was founded, Binghamton has been, and will continue to be, the home of our corporate headquarters,” said Boyea. “I am so proud of this entire community, because it’s really the community that has reached out to us in so many different ways, and what we are doing is standing together as a community.”

Sock Out Cancer®, LLC, is wholly owned by the Security Mutual Life Foundation, which is a New York 501(c)(3) public charity. Deductible charitable donations may be made directly to Sock Out Cancer, LLC, or to the Security Mutual Life Foundation.