DeSoto Hope receives Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance “Make More Happen” award
Supporters can help double the donation to $10,000 by voting for their agent giving story
Oct. 7, 2024 – Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance have awarded Gallagher Insurance Group a 2024 Make More Happen Award for its volunteerism with DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging DeSoto County neighbors to help those affected by cancer. The award includes an initial donation of $5,000 for DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support which can be doubled to $10,000 just by having community supporters vote online.
The Gallagher Insurance Group and DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support community story is highlighted on the official Make More Happen microsite at www.agentgiving.com/gallagher-insurance-group/ where supporters can vote to help the team reach their donation goal. If the featured story receives a mix of at least 500 votes and comments, the $5,000 donation will be raised to $10,000.
The $10,000 donation will allow DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support to continue providing cancer patients in DeSoto County with baskets of supplies that help them during treatment, including a $50 gas gift card to assist with transportation costs. The nonprofit also provides $500 travel grants, allowing cancer patients to seek second opinions or treatment outside of the region.
“We are honored and incredibly grateful for being awarded the 2024 Make More Happen Award so we can continue to help our community,” said Joel Gallagher, co-owner of Gallagher Insurance Group. “DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support has had a significant impact in Mississippi, and we are thrilled to double the donation with community support.”
In 2018, Gallagher Insurance Group co-owner Tracy Gallagher was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, triple-negative breast cancer. Following her diagnosis, Tracy was blessed with women who knocked on her door to offer support. She wanted to connect with other survivors and encourage those recently diagnosed with cancer as others did for her, but she discovered that there was no cancer support groups in her county.
In the fall of 2020, Tracy started putting together baskets of supplies for cancer patients to help them through their treatment and formed DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support. Since then, the nonprofit has delivered over 1,500 baskets to cancer patients in Desoto County. Gallagher Insurance Group supports the nonprofit and volunteers to help Tracy and her team bring hope to those suffering from cancer by donating items for the baskets, using their office as a drop-off point and staffing fundraisers including the annual spring event, Light Up The Lake.
“Recognizing independent agents’ dedication to their communities and nonprofit partners is what the Make More Happen Awards is all about,” said Jay Lynch, Safeco Southeast Region Senior Territory Manager. “Gallagher Insurance Group Is a shining example of the amazing work independent agents do in the Mississippi area and we hope sharing inspiring stories motivates others to do the same.”
