Security Mutual Life Announces Company’s Flood Relief Efforts

(Binghamton, NY • September 19, 2011)  On Monday, September 19, Binghamton Mayor Matthew T. Ryan and Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York jointly hosted a press conference announcing steps Security Mutual Life is taking to assist flood relief efforts in Binghamton and the surrounding region.  During the press conference, the 125-year-old downtown Binghamton life insurer also affirmed its commitment to host the company’s annual agent convention in downtown Binghamton.

	Security Mutual Life Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea (l) and Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan (r).

Prior to announcing the company’s flood relief initiatives, Security Mutual Life Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea presented contributions of $5,000 each to four local organizations: the Broome County Urban League, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, Catholic Charities of Broome County and the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW).  The $20,000 total contribution was raised through the All-Star Golf Tournament presented by Security Mutual Life and The Black Aces just one week prior to the flood.  Security Mutual expedited the tournament financial processing so that monies could be disbursed to the four charitable groups now as they work to help meet the area’s extreme financial need.

“All of us at Security Mutual Life express our care and concern for the many families and businesses that have suffered loss due to the September 2011 historic flooding,” said company Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea.  “To further assist our friends and neighbors during this difficult time, Security Mutual Life is organizing a November flood relief benefit concert that will first and foremost help area flood victims, but that will also help lift people’s spirits after dealing with these devastating events.”  Concert details will be released within the next few weeks.

In addition to the benefit concert, Security Mutual has set up a corporate flood relief charitable trust.  All donations to the trust will be directed toward local flood relief efforts, and the company will match Security Mutual employee donations.  In addition, many Security Mutual employees are personally helping family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors with cleanup and recovery.  “We are extremely proud of our employees, who continue to go above and beyond the call of duty in assisting others throughout the community,” said Boyea.

Security Mutual also affirmed its selection of Binghamton for the 15th consecutive year as the site of its annual agents’ educational conference.  Originally scheduled for September 20-22, the conference has been rescheduled for November 2-4.  “In light of what people are going through, Security Mutual’s management team thought it was  important to assist the community’s rebuilding and recovery process now when help is needed most, and to delay our conference by a few weeks,” said Boyea.  The meeting brings about 200 of the company’s field associates to downtown Binghamton for an advanced life insurance and financial-planning seminar that takes place over a three-day period.

The Community flag designed by Security Mutual flies outside Binghamton City Hall as a symbol of the area's collective strength in recovering from the disaster.

As an additional demonstration of community solidarity, Security Mutual asked the City of Binghamton to postpone its proclamation of the week of September 19 as Security Mutual Week in downtown Binghamton. Instead, Security Mutual commissioned a new flag communicating our area’s collective strength as we work together to restore our community. The new flag was raised outside Binghamton City Hall in place of the Security Mutual flag originally scheduled to be flown as part of Security Mutual Week. “It is our fervent hope that this new community flag will serve as a reminder that we will get through this difficult time, and that by working together we can all make a difference in our community,” Boyea said.

Security Mutual Life Weathers Historic Flooding in Northeast

(Binghamton, NY • September 15, 2011) Security Mutual Life is pleased to report that the company did not sustain any damage during last week's historic flooding throughout Binghamton and the surrounding region, and that the company's disaster recovery plan worked as designed throughout the multi-county state of emergency. Due to the state of emergency, Security Mutual was closed from the afternoon of Wednesday, September 7, through Friday, September 9. Throughout the building's closure, however, Security Mutual maintained systems availability for the company's field associates, as well as emergency service for both policyholders and field associates via the successful deployment and operation of the company's disaster recovery plan.

The company reopened its Binghamton-based home office on Monday, September 12, resuming normal operations from the start of the business day. "Security Mutual was able to reopen Monday morning at a fully functional level thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees," said Security Mutual Life Chairman, President & CEO Bruce W. Boyea. "Their determination is a testament to the caliber of our home office employees and their high level of commitment to our policyholders and our field associates."

Although Security Mutual did not sustain any damage, countless other area residents and businesses have not been as fortunate. "This is one of the biggest natural disasters ever to strike our area, and all of us at Security Mutual know people and businesses that have been hard hit and are struggling to recover," said Boyea. In response to the disaster, Security Mutual will be hosting a press conference on Monday, September 19, at which the company will announce steps it is taking to assist its home community during this difficult time.

"Binghamton has been Security Mutual's home since our company was founded 125 years ago," said Boyea, "and both the company and its employees are committed to joining our neighbors as we work together to recover from this catastrophic event."

Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Black Aces and Guest Celebrities Kick Off 10th Annual All-Star Golf Tournament

(Binghamton, NY • September 1, 2011)  On August 31, legendary major league baseball player, entertainer and sports broadcaster Jim “Mudcat” Grant—together with some of this year’s more than 35 guest celebrities—held a press conference to kick off  the special 10th anniversary edition of the Jim “Mudcat” Grant All-Star Golf Tournament.  The August 31 press conference officially opened the two-day event, which featured celebrity visits that day with residents of area health facilities and with children enrolled in local youth programs. The event continued the following day at the Links at Hiawatha Landing with a special 10th anniversary award presentation to Jim “Mudcat” Grant, immediately followed by the start of the tournament itself.

(l to r) Jim "Mudcat" Grant; Security Mutual Life Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea; Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton Executive Director Marybeth Smith; Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan.

Grant, the Black Aces* and Security Mutual Life Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea founded the tournament 10 years ago.  The event has continued to grow each year, now providing valuable financial support to four local organizations:  The Broome County Urban League, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, Catholic Charities of Broome County, and the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW).

“This tournament is really all about helping the children and families of this area, and it’s having a chance to actually meet and spend time with the kids that makes this event so special,” said Grant.  “I know I speak for all my fellow celebrities when I say how proud we are to return to Binghamton again this year to do whatever we can to help make a difference in the lives of our youngest citizens.”

“On behalf of the entire Greater Binghamton community, I salute the tournament’s many sponsors and volunteers, whose enthusiastic support over the past 10 years has helped make this tournament such a resounding success,” said Boyea.  “I also offer our sincerest thanks to all the visiting celebrities—and most especially to our dear friend Jim ‘Mudcat’ Grant— for their caring and their willingness to give of their time and their talent for the benefit of our children.”

Security Mutual Life Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea (r), Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan and All-Star Celebrities (l).

To thank “Mudcat” for his untiring efforts on behalf of the tournament over the past 10 years, Security Mutual, The Broome County Urban League, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, Catholic Charities of Broome County, and CHOW presented a special award to Mudcat on Thursday immediately preceding the start of the tournament. 

Guest celebrities joining Mudcat at this year’s tournament included National Baseball Hall of Fame members and Cy Young Award winners Fergie Jenkins and Gaylord Perry, together with Mudcat’s and Fergie’s  fellow Black Aces Vida Blue, Mike Norris and “Gentleman Al” Downing, who played for the Binghamton Triplets in 1961 prior to joining the Yankees.  Rounding out the “All-Star” cast was a bevy of baseball greats, plus athletes from basketball, golf, football, and boxing, including well-loved returning favorites Lavonne “Pepper” Paire Davis (member of All American Girls Professional Baseball League) and Gina “Chirpie” Casey (member of Championship Fast Pitch Softball Team).

*The African-American major league baseball pitchers who won 20 or more games in a single season.

Security Mutual Life Celebrates 125th Anniversary with Community Event

(Binghamton, NY • July 18, 2011) When New York State Senator Tom Libous, New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Broome County Executive Patrick Brennan and Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan took the playing field on July 15, it wasn't because they were recruited to play for the B-Mets. Instead they were honoring Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, which celebrated its 125th anniversary with a special Community Night at the July 15 B-Mets game.

"Security Mutual Life's 125th anniversary doesn't officially take place until November 6," said company Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea. "However, we really wanted to celebrate outdoors with our friends and neighbors, so we decided it would be fun to combine our birthday festivities with the 'great American pastime' of a baseball game."

The City of Binghamton presented a special congratulatory banner to Security Mutual Life at the game. The banner is now on display in downtown Binghamton at the corner of Court and Washington Streets.

As Security Mutual Life's way of thanking the residents of its home community, company employees distributed free tote bags to the first 1,500 fans through the gates. In addition, the company hosted a food drive to benefit The Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW). And because no birthday celebration would be complete without birthday cake, Security Mutual employees also served slices of "125th Anniversary Cake" to B-Mets fans prior to the start of the game. The game began at 7:05 p.m., following the singing of The National Anthem by a 15-member ensemble composed of Security Mutual employees.

	Bruce W. Boyea, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer (2nd from right), addresses the crowd before the game.

Security Mutual also shared the birthday fun with The Broome County Urban League and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, two local organizations that offer a variety of valuable programs and services to area children. The company donated 300 tickets to these organizations, allowing interested children and their families to attend the game, as well as enjoy a free hot dog each.

Although the B-Mets lost 4 - 2 to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the evening ended on a high note with a special 125th anniversary salute as part of the post-game fireworks display. "We had a great time celebrating with the community," says Boyea. "In these challenging economic times, it was wonderful to celebrate not only a success story, but a success story that began and continues to unfold right here in our own community."

Security Mutual Honors Local Veterans with Flag Display

(Binghamton, New York • July 18, 2011) On Friday, July 15, Broome County Executive Patrick Brennan and Arena Board Chairman Ron Sall presided over a ceremony dedicating a new flag display honoring local veterans. Now a part of the All Wars Memorial located at the northwest corner of the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, the new flag display features new flagpoles, a new American flag, and new flags for each of the five branches of the U.S. military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The flags and flagpoles were donated by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York as a gift to the community in honor of the company's 125th anniversary.

"Because we were founded in Binghamton, we really wanted to mark our anniversary with a meaningful gift both to the county that has been our home and to the community we have served for 125 years." said Security Mutual Life Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea, "What more meaningful gift could we give than to pay tribute to the many men and women who have been serving us and serving our country! We are extremely proud of Broome County's service men and women, and we are honored to have played a role in the expansion of the Arena's All Wars Memorial."

The new flags and flagpoles replace those that were formerly located adjacent to Stuart Street. Instead, the flag display was relocated to the northwest wall of the Arena building alongside the All Wars Memorial to further enhance the memorial and to recognize veterans from each of America's military branches. Friday's dedication service for the new display marked the culmination of a year-long project spearheaded by Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena board member Joe Coffey and funded entirely through private individual and corporate donations. The ceremony coincided with the New York State American Legion Convention, which took place in Binghamton July 14 – 16. Invited guests included representatives from each of America's military branches, together with New York State Senator Tom Libous, New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan and members of the Broome County Legislature.

Binghamton Mayor Declares June 9 “Security Mutual Day”

(Binghamton, NY • June 9, 2011) On Thursday, June 9, Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan hosted a press conference recognizing Security Mutual Life for the company’s most recent contribution to downtown Binghamton. For the 13th consecutive year, Security Mutual Life and the City of Binghamton have teamed up to beautify Court Street and Memorial Bridge through the addition of 150 hanging flower baskets filled with vibrant red geraniums.

The mayor recognized Security Mutual for its upcoming 125th anniversary and for the many ways the company helps the community, including presenting the annual All-Star Golf Tournament and hosting our annual Advanced Marketing Seminar in Binghamton. He then declared June 9 to be "Security Mutual Day" in the City of Binghamton, and presented a proclamation to SML Chairman, President and CEO Bruce W. Boyea.

“Not only is Binghamton the birthplace of our great company," said Mr. Boyea, "but it continues to serve as the company’s national headquarters. Therefore, we are passionate about our home city and about doing whatever we can to help continue making Binghamton a great place to live and work.”

Mayor Ryan and Mr. Boyea concluded the press conference by presiding together over the ceremonial hanging of the last remaining basket in front of the Security Mutual Building.

Security Mutual Introduces Innovative Term Life Insurance Product

(Binghamton, NY • December 2, 2010) Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York has introduced an innovative term life insurance product—Monthly Benefit Life (Policy Forms 2107-NY, 2107-C-NY). The first such product available in New York and most states, Monthly Benefit Life offers beneficiaries a monthly income stream instead of a lump sum payment upon the death of the insured. The new product provides income or asset replacement for many different client needs, including mortgage payments, child support and alimony, college education funding, business buy-outs, and family income replacement. For more information, contact your Security Mutual agent or use the agent locator to find the agent nearest you.