Royal Neighbors Seeds Grassroots Growth

MESA, Ariz., Feb. 11, 2016 -- It pays to be good. Royal Neighbors of America, one of the oldest, women-led life insurers in the U.S., announced the launch of its Difference Maker Fund, a new program that offers Royal Neighbors members* $200 in seed money to support a community project that aligns with the life insurer's mission.
The focus is to improve the community and cover at least one of the following purposes:

• Support a charitable cause that specifically helps women and/or girls
• Support women who organize and complete community service projects
• Provide financial literacy opportunities for women, girls, or other community groups

The funds are distributed to Royal Neighbors members who, with their friends and family, carry out their Difference Maker projects. More details are available atwww.royalneighbors.org/community-connections/difference-maker-fund.

"Every February the life insurance industry has a campaign called Insure Your Love. At Royal Neighbors we believe love extends beyond providing financial security for our members' loved ones. Our philosophy is to provide quality of life opportunities that enrich lives now," said Matt Mendenhall, director of philanthropy. "Our Difference Maker Fund provides a way for people to contribute, connect, and address important issues in their communities in a meaningful way."

Studies conducted by United Health Group indicate that volunteering improves one's physical health, emotional well-being, sense of purpose, connection to the community, and contributes to their overall quality of life.[1]

In the same study social scientists have discovered that volunteers report they feel better – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Below are a few highlights:

• Some 76 percent of people who volunteered in the last 12 months say their altruistic actions made them feel better. They were more likely than their non-volunteering counterparts to report feeling good about their health.[2]
• Volunteers report having a greater sense of purpose and meaning from their philanthropic activities. An estimated 95 percent of those surveyed say they are helping to make their community a better place while 96 percent report volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life.[3]
• Volunteers feel less stressed out than their non-volunteering peers.[4] Assisting others shifts the focus away from feeling overwhelmed by personal difficulties to the more enlightened state that comes from helping others. Stress is considered a contributing factor in ill health, so any reduction in stress levels is a positive step.

Caption: Royal Neighbors of America launches Difference Maker Fund to boost grassroots community volunteer opportunities across the nation.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurers, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, simplified issue, and universal life. Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Rock Island, IL with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

Member benefits are provided at the discretion of Royal Neighbors of America and are not available in all states. They are not part of any insurance or annuity contract and are not guaranteed. Royal Neighbors is licensed in 43 states and the District of Columbia and not all products are available in all states.

EM2016-4; Rev. 1-2016
*Members are individuals who have life insurance, annuities or a general membership with Royal Neighbors. http://www.royalneighbors.org/Membership-benefits/
[1] Doing Good is Good for You, 2013 Health and Volunteering Study, p. 2, United Health Group, online article, PDF on file. http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/~/media/uhg/pdf/2013/unh-health-volunteering-study.ashx
[2] Ibid, p. 3.
[3] Ibid. p.4.
[4] Ibid. p.4.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=38914

CONTACT: Sally Marks
         (480) 970-2521
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