2021 Volunteer of the Year
Jennifer Stockdale • October 19, 2021
Meet Timothy
Timothy Knell
was nominated by Laura Fine, the volunteer coordinator at the Washington Area Humane Society (WAHS).
In her nomination, Fine
tells a compelling story about Knell’s
extraordinary efforts during the pandemic: not only did Tim
foster several cats, but he also created videos of himself reading books to the shelter cats. The videos became a hit with the public and led to additional cat adoptions. Tim
was also a key volunteer in the success of the WAHS’s emergency food bank program, ensuring that those shut-in due to the virus were able to receive food needed for their pets.
"It’s not about the hours, but the impact," Fine
writes,
"Tim
has made an impact on the community and in the cat department and we are so grateful to call him a volunteer! But if you are counting, Tim
has spent 885 hours making a difference for the Washington Area Humane Society!"
GBU Life’s members are connected through their commitment to their local communities. GBU has several programs which support members across the country with their volunteering and fundraising efforts. The Making a Difference: One Hour at a Time program donates $15 to an organization for each hour a member volunteers there. GBU’s Give Back Groups program matches members’ fundraising efforts and offers reimbursement for dollars spent by members to assist with community projects.
“It is members like Tim that really further the mission of GBU," said GBU National Vice President Matt Blistan. “His commitment to his community through something he is passionate about is what we look for in our Volunteer of the Year.”
As a thank you for Tim’s efforts, GBU presented the Washington Area Humane Society with a $1,000 check on July 28.
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
Looking for new spots to explore this winter? Check out these three must-visit places for your next adventure.
Details and deadlines surrounding the GBU Foundation scholarship and grants for 2025.
Looking to try some new recipes this winter?
We've found some tips to keep up your sleeve this winter.
The Defined Benefit Annuity from GBU Life can help you to create a plan for a guaranteed income in retirement by making regular contributions based on your retirement income targets.
Graduating from college is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the perfect time to focus on your financial future. Building on the foundation you’ve already laid the groundwork for with smart money choices will set you up for long-term success. Here are a few key financial products to consider as you take the next step.
Kick-start your child’s journey to financial success with a whole life policy from GBU Life.
How well do you know the characters from the hit TV series The Office? Watch your reruns and get ready to test your skills in our winter trivia contest!