Community Involvement

On a local level, the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network provides immense support to Easter Seals UCP (ESUCP) North Carolina in an effort to help children and adults with disabilities.  Led by Richard Worrell's vision, the team champions ESUCP's cause with incredible gifts of time and financial contribution.  As Charlotte Development Advisory Board Chair and member of the ESUCP State Board's Development Committee, Richard is the key advisor on mission-driven fundraising and volunteerism.  A three year $5,000 presenting sponsor, the Network has helped grow ESUCP "Walk With Me: StRoll in the Park" to 500 participants and a $325,000 cummulative result.  35 financial representatives who painted 6 Children's Centers' classrooms where 75 children with and without disabilities grow and learn with early intervention.  With sponsorship from the Network, 13 preschoolers benefited from a day of therapeutic horseback riding and 20 group home reseidents will see a Charlotte Bobcats game.

Richard and his office forged ESUCP relationships with Northwestern Mutual colleagues in Wilmington, Raleigh and Greensboro and they are helping build ESUCP advisory boards in their communitites.  Challenged by Richard, twelve Managing Partners from across the country donated $12,000 for preschool scholarships for 8 special needs children.  Northwestern Mutual wrote an article featuring Richard and the Leadership Team.  Please click here to view the article.

On September 18, 2009, Richard and Alanna Worrell received the Child and Family Award from Easter Seals UCP.  Richard and Alanna's deep connection to Easter Seals UCP exists on many levels.  They first came to Easter Seals UCP as parents seeking the best services for their child.  And as their son Rich goes through the Charlotte Children's Center program, Richard and Alanna grow more passionate in their support of Easter Seals UCP and its mission.  The Worrell family attends and donates to Charlotte area special events, and Richard personally recruits individuals who can benefit the organization through giving, social networking or in-kind donations.  Family Day at the Charlotte Children's center would not be a reality were it not for the Worrells, and Richard has utilized his own staff and resources to work on a system of foundation support for Easter Seals UCP programs.  The Worrells have expanded our network in the Charlotte community exponentially.  Through their timeless efforts, they exemplify the spirit of giving in a manner that sets an example for us all. 

Northwestern Mutual-Charlotte Honored with Community Impact Award

Richard Worrell, managing director of the Northwestern Mutual - Charlotte office and his team are the recipients of the 2010 Community Impact Award for their work with Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of North Carolina and Virginia. In recognition of the Charlotte Office's ongoing support, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is making a $50,000 grant to Easter Seals UCP to create additional opportunities for children and adults with disabilities throughout North Carolina and Virgina.

Northwestern Mutual – Charlotte’s active support for Easter Seals UCP began five years ago following the diagnosis of Richard’s son with agenesis of the corpus callosum, a rare birth defect. While seeking options for his son, Richard discovered a local Easter Seals UCP school in Charlotte as a place his son could continue to grow, and he became involved with the organization.

For more information, read the full press release or watch the video.