Sentry raises $1.5 million for United Way

Sentry and its employees raised more than $1.5 million for United Way during the mutual insurance company’s annual two-week campaign.

In Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where Sentry is based, the company and its employees topped a million dollars in their campaign for United Way of Portage County. This year’s total of $1.2 million—announced Thursday, Nov. 1, at an event in the Sentry Theater—includes employee pledges, special events fundraising, and a matching donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation.

This was the fourth consecutive year the campaign in Stevens Point topped $1 million.

“What you do is special. Individuals and businesses throughout this community recognize your kindness—and it is the envy of other United Ways,” said Sue Wilcox, executive director of United Way of Portage County, to Sentry associates attending the event. “Your record of creativity, hard work, fun, and compassion has built a reputation that each of you should be proud of.”

Sentry Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO Pete McPartland presented a $1.2 million check to Wilcox during a campaign coordinators’ celebration at the Sentry Theater.

“Each year, our associates pour their energy and enthusiasm into the United Way campaign,” said McPartland, acknowledging the effort that Sentry United Way Campaign Executive Sponsor Aaron Deering and his 2018 executive team of Charlie Hoyord, Kelly Kovatch, Carrie Dreger, Jeff Cole, and Dustin Loutsenhizer put into organizing the two-week campaign in September. “This deep well of support for the United Way begins with a company that’s thriving, with leadership and associates who are passionate about their work and who take to heart what they can do for their communities.”

Said Deering, “This year’s results are a direct reflection of the hard work and planning of our executive team, plus all the United Way volunteers. It’s amazing to see the creative ways we all come together in a short period of time to do so much good for the community.”

Special events organized by employees included a Fall Festival with music, games, and food. Other fundraisers included jeans days, silent auctions, a pop-up mini golf tournament of champions, trivia contest, and special meals including chili lunches and bake sales.

A Sentry employee and retiree golf outing at SentryWorld Golf Course raised more than $20,000.

Employees in offices outside of Stevens Point raised $345,614—including the Sentry Foundation match—for the United Ways in their communities. That was a 9.4 percent increase over last year’s campaign.

The 2018 contribution to United Way of Portage County was a $50,000 increase over last year’s $1.15 million total. For the seventh year in a row, more than 90 percent of the company’s Stevens Point employees contributed to the campaign.

United Way of Portage County distributes the funds it collects to 30 partner programs focused on improving the areas of education, income, health, and community basics in the county.

“Your kindness shines bright here in Portage County,” said Wilcox. “It’s impossible to miss. Thank you for sharing it with those in our community who need it the most.”

The annual Sentry United Way campaign in Stevens Point first topped $1 million in 2015. With this year’s donation, Sentry and its employees have contributed more than $16 million to United Way of Portage County since 2000.

United Way is working to inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow by focusing on the building blocks for a better life—education, income, and health. Everyone in the community is invited to be a part of this effort. Give, advocate, and volunteer. LIVE UNITED. To learn more, visit unitedwaypoco.org.

Your business. Your employees. Your peace of mind. At Sentry, we understand what matters most to you. Because we’ve been there ourselves. We got our start in 1904, when members of the Wisconsin Retail Hardware Association formed their own insurance company. Establishing the company gave members the strength of numbers, but it was the true strength of personalized care and Midwest roots that became hallmarks of the Sentry name.

Today, we’ve grown to become one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance companies in the nation by never forgetting where we came from. Or why. Perhaps that’s why many of about one million customers have been with us for decades.

And we can be there for you. Our Stevens Point headquarters is the flagship of an operation supported by claims offices strategically located throughout the United States. With more than $17.3 billion in assets, more than $5.1 billion in policyholder surplus**, and an A+ (superior) rating from A.M. Best*, the industry’s leading rating authority, we continue to provide peace of mind.

One conversation at a time.

**Assets and policyholder surplus as of December 31, 2017, and represent the aggregate total for all members of the Sentry Insurance Group and are not reflective of any individual underwriting company.