Royal Neighbors presents $20,000 check to Travis Hearn Fund

11/27/2006

(Rock Island, IL)—Cynthia Tidwell, President/CEO of Royal Neighbors of America presented a check for $20,346.88 to the Travis J. Hearn Benefit Fund on Thursday, November 16, at the organization's Home Office in Rock Island. Travis Hearn's grandmother, Gwen Stovall; his football coach, Vic Boblett; John McEvoy, a representative from THE National Bank; and Mark DeBarr, trustee for the fund were in attendance for the check presentation. Royal Neighbors hosted a fund-raiser for Travis on Make A Difference Day, Oct. 28, a national day of volunteerism. Travis, a 17-year-old Rock Island High School student, suffered a burst C-4 vertebrae during a football game on September 22 and remains paralyzed in a Chicago area rehabilitation hospital.

The successful event, which was supported by the entire community, raised $10,173.44 through a lunch, raffles, a silent auction, a cheer competition, and appearances by Greg Dwyer of the Dwyer & Michaels Morning Show (a local radio morning show), as well as baseball legend Gene Oliver.

Royal Neighbors matched the funds raised dollar-for-dollar and presented $20,346.88 to the Travis J. Hearn Benefit Fund.

Royal Neighbors of America is a non-profit fraternal benefit organization that insures lives, supports women, and serves communities. It also offers valuable member benefits such as scholarships, disaster aid, discount programs, and a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the country through its chapters.

Headquartered in Rock Island, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 insurance certificateholders, has $2.3 billion of insurance in force, and is licensed to do business in 41 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, call (800) 627-4762, or visit www.royalneighbors.org.