Media Contact: Edwin Prugh
NEVIN Communications: 703-577-2776
MassMutual Contact:
Patty Norris Lubold: 413-744-6957

Vienna, VA (July 22, 2010) – Jill’s House, Inc. has received a $10,000 Community Service Award grant from the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, (MassMutual). The grant was presented by Gerald J. Radican, managing director of the Washington Financial Group, a Virginia office of Capitol Financial Partners, one of MassMutual’s general agencies in the Washington D.C. Metro area. The Washington Financial Group helps families with children with special needs prepare for their future. Additional offices are located in McLean and Lansdowne, Virginia.

The community service award grant to Jill’s House is very unique because it’s one of only 11 national awards given by MassMutual. There were over 300 community service award nominations from more than 5,000 MassMutual representatives across the country. The grant is given to outstanding organizations that make an impact in the community and change lives. This grant will help Jill’s House achieve its mission of providing short-term, overnight respite care to children with special needs and their families living in the Greater Washington DC area.

“Jill’s House is such a first-rate organization and makes an enormous impact in the community. This grant will make a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. We are very excited to support such a great resource for parents and caregivers of children with special needs right here in Northern Virginia.” said Radican.

The vision for Jill’s House began after Jill Solomon, the daughter of the McLean Bible Church senior pastor Lon Solomon and his wife Brenda, was born. Jill developed a severe seizure disorder that grew into frequent uncontrollable seizures. Within a few years, Jill became developmentally and physically disabled requiring full-time care. In 1996, the McLean Bible Church launched Access Ministries to serve four children with special needs similar to Jill. The overwhelming response from the community made it clear there was a strong need that far exceeded the available resources. Jill’s parents quickly learned there was very limited access to respite care, which allows parents and caregivers to get a much needed break from their care giving role. In 2003, the idea for Jill’s House began with a mission to build a community network of integrated services and deliver respite care in a state-of-the-art facility that is safe, friendly and welcoming to all children.

“We feel so blessed to have such great support from Gerald and MassMutual. This grant will help us fulfill the mission of Jill’s House to provide short-term overnight respite care for children with special needs. Without incredible support like this, our vision would not be possible.” said C. Lee Vaughn, Development Director of Jill’s House, Inc.

About Jill’s House, Inc.: Jill’s House, Inc., is a 501 (c) (3) non - profit organization that is an integrated auxiliary of McLean Bible Church. Jill’s House was established in 2003 to serve children with special needs living in the Greater Washington, DC area by providing short-term overnight care, social activities and a range of therapeutic activities, providing the opportunity for respite for their families. It is estimated that over 40,000 children with special needs (developmental and/or physical disabilities often complicated by complex medical conditions) live in the Greater Washington, DC area. Visit www.jillshouse.org for more information and to learn how to volunteer time, donate funds or make an impact in the lives of children with special needs. Jill’s House is located at 9011 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va.

About MassMutual: Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

CRN201207- 137268

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