Unum (NYSE: UNM) and its employees in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland remained committed to supporting charitable organizations in 2013, contributing more than $13.5 million and volunteering more than 100,000 hours in support of worthwhile causes primarily in the areas the company operates.

“The needs in our communities continue to be greater than ever,” said Joseph Foley, senior vice president of marketing. “Year after year, our employees have continued to show their dedication to helping others, and their volunteer efforts have had a clear impact on our communities. A strong commitment to social responsibility is one of Unum's core values, and it’s rewarding to see our employees go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of so many.”

The company primarily focuses its charitable efforts on supporting public education initiatives that provide more opportunity for students to learn.

Over the years, Unum has been instrumental in creating education programs like the Girls Leadership Academy in Worcester, Mass., the Principal Leadership Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., and the Maine Development Foundation’s Education Leaders Experience in Portland. And in Columbia, S.C., the company has supported a number of education programs at St. Andrew’s Middle School for the past 12 years.

“We continue to invest heavily in these programs, and many more like them, because of the impact they have on our communities as a whole,” said Foley. “We need well-educated children and young adults who are ready to be tomorrow’s leaders, and these programs are doing an excellent job at developing them.”

Based on standard volunteer formulas, the 100,000 hours logged by Unum employees is valued at roughly $2.4 million. Additionally, more than 350 Unum employees lend their leadership expertise as board members for various charitable organizations.

Outside of public education initiatives, the United Way was a big beneficiary of Unum’s corporate giving in 2013. Other beneficiaries in Unum’s home states included:

  • Hamilton County Department of Education in Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, Mass.
  • The Cromwell Center in Portland, Maine
  • Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands in Columbia, S.C.
  • The Alzheimer’s Society in the U.K.

Unum provides financial protection benefits in the workplace such as disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through its Unum and Colonial Life businesses, the company has offices across the U.S., the U.K., and in Carlow, Ireland.

About Unum

Unum Group (www.unum.com) is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the United States and the United Kingdom. Unum’s portfolio includes disability, life, accident and critical illness coverage, which help protect millions of working people and their families in the event of an illness or injury. The company reported revenues of $10.35 billion in 2013, and its subsidiaries – Unum US, Colonial Life and Unum UK – provided more than $6 billion in benefits last year.

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