Community Involvement
To grow and prosper, communities require care. It is the work of many hands… sharing many talents, many hours, and many gifts. One generation teaches the next the importance of healthy minds, bodies, and spirits. We recognize the importance of giving back to the community.
International Kids Fund
Chuck Downs (right), IKF Chairman Jorge Ortega, IKF Director Maria Luisa Chea and Best Buy General Manager Davian Altamiranda (back left) lend a helping hand to Alejandra.
We teamed up to give children receiving treatment at the Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami a special holiday season. The kids were given a shopping spree at Best Buy. Each of the participating kids selected a few gifts from over $20,000 of electronics and entertainment products donated through the generous contribution of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network – the Downs team and Best Buy of South Florida.
All the children who participated in the shopping spree are currently receiving medical attention at the Holtz Children’s Hospital thanks to the International Kids Fund, a program of the Jackson Memorial Foundation that seeks to provide medical care to needy children from around-the-world who suffer from serious illnesses that cannot be treated in their home countries. Because these children and teenagers are not United States residents, the public hospital cannot use taxpayers’ money to pay for their treatment. Instead, IKF helps raise funds to cover their care at Holtz.
“Giving back is something we take seriously. We are delighted to support and sponsor the purchases of much needed video and electronic equipment for use by the children of IKF and the Holtz Children’s Hospital. For the Downs team, this investment is personal. Being able to bring joy and a smile to a child while they endure life-changing surgery or are recovering from a catastrophic illness or disease is something that makes this giving special,” said Chuck Downs, a Board Member for the International Kids Fund.
The Downs team and Best Buy team-up to bring smiles
to the faces of IKF children and their families.
The Downs’ have developed an ongoing bi-monthly activity for the IKF children and their families who are often confined to the hospital and, until now, have had limited access to entertainment or diversions. Thus was borne “The Downs Team Adopt-a-Family” program. Family outings have included trips to the Miami Children’s Museum, Metro Zoo, Miami Seaquarium, Jungle Island, Miami Science Museum and GameWorks.
Enjoying a day packed with fun at the inaugural Downs Team Adopt-A-Family
outing, held at the Miami Children’s Museum.
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
In October 2006, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts opened it's doors and Northwestern Mutual Financial Network – the Downs team had a high-profile presence at this black-tie gala, sponsoring the Late Night Club of The Green Society, a fund-raising arm of the Center geared towards young professionals. During the holiday season, Tiffany & Co. at the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables generously hosted and underwrote a donor recognition reception honoring the Downs team for their commitment to the Center as a Gold Member. Chuck was presented with a Tiffany & Co. pewter plaque saluting the Downs team. The highly-acclaimed performance of “Chicago City Limits" was presented by the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network – the Downs team in January 2007. Following the sold-out performance, clients, guests and the cast were treated to an exclusive private reception. Two additional performances were underwritten and sponsored by the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network - the Downs team, featuring husband and wife Latin musical sensations Lissette and Willy Chirino on Valentine’s Day and Comedic genius Lily Tomlin on April 12. Other causes fostered and supported by Chuck and his team:
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