John Theissen Children's Foundation Receives $50,000 Donation

A national insurance company has reached out to a Wantagh charity with a generous donation. 

Northwestern Mutual presented the John Theissen Children's Foundation (JTCF) with a $50,000 check on Wednesday at the non-profit organization's family fun center located on 1881 Wantagh Ave. The contributrion was through Northwestern Mutual's charitable foundation, which recognized its office in Melville called the Quinlan Financial Group wih the company's Community Impact Award for its dedication shown to the JTCF. 

The JTCF was founded in 1992 by Wantagh native John Theissen, who came up with the idea after encountering a sick child in need during a hospital visit while battling a brain tumor during his senior year at MacArthur High School. The foundation provides support services for sick and underprivileged children and their families by running holiday toy drives, operating a family fun center, funding hospital stays and medical treatments, and fulfilling patients’ wish lists.   
“For 17 years our office has been involved with John Theissen’s group and we are very passionate about the work he does to support kids and families who are battling childhood cancer and other diseases,” said Craig Quinlan, managing partner at the The Quinlan Financial Group. “This grant comes at a special time for the organization as many of the foundation’s families are still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Diseases like childhood cancer take an emotional and financial toll, so we’re looking forward to helping more kids and families find happiness with this extra financial support.”

The $50,000 donation to the JTCF came just three weeks after the Wantagh-based charity lost nearly $10,000 in toys and electronics from flooding at its fun center caused by the Feb. 10 snowstorm.

The Quinlan Financial Group volunteers at every event the JTCF holds, regularly staffs the family fun center and serves at the registration table during the charity's annual 5K run/walk. Along with volunteer hours, the group is a platinum sponsor of the JTCF  Casino Night and regularly donates to supply and gift drives.

 The $50,000 grant will focus on families most affected by Hurricane Sandy. Specifically, funding will be put toward medical costs, patient wish lists and toy drives.
 
“The Children’s Foundation sees Northwestern Mutual as a partner in our success of caring for the community,”  Theissen said. “As part of supporting our neighbors, we have already spent an unplanned $20,000 to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, so this grant will help us not only fill that void, but also allow us to support families fighting disease.”
 
The Community Impact Award annually recognizes Northwestern Mutual offices that demonstrate exemplary service with a local nonprofit.
 
“Northwestern Mutual is proud to strengthen the communities in which we live and work,” said John Kordsmeier, president of Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Few things are more rewarding than bringing children joy, especially those who’ve endured and battled so much. The John Theissen Children’s Foundation, along with the Quinlan Financial Group, are helping countless families on Long Island forget about their daily challenges and find some happiness.”

Related:

• Sandy Relief Benefit Donates Proceeds to John Theissen Children's Foundation
• Wantagh Charity Sees Increasing Support at 11th Annual Holiday Gala
• Wantagh Charity Raises Money for Children at Annual Casino Gala
• Seaford Man Brings Christmas Cheer to Suffolk County Burglary Victims
• Wantagh Charity Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Children
• Wantagh-Seaford Patch Readers Choose John Theissen 2011 Person of the Year