FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Join Us in Turning the Commonwealth Blue to Thank the Front Lines
Community Asked to Let Front Lines Know:
"You Are Essential. We Are Grateful."
124 Race Bibs for 124th Boston Marathon Donated to Boston-Area Hospitals
and Boston Resiliency Fund in Recognition of Ongoing Work During Crisis
To mark what would be the 124th Boston Marathon this April, 35-year
principal sponsor John Hancock, joined by the Boston Athletic Association
(B.A.A.), Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J.
Walsh, call on the community to collectively share gratitude for the
essential workforce who are risking their lives every day to fight COVID-19
by lighting their buildings blue, displaying signs of gratitude in their
homes and showing support online.
John Hancock will join other signs of gratitude that have been displayed
throughout the community by lighting its historic weather beacon blue in
honor of those working on the front lines, starting today until the
stay-at-home advisory is lifted, and asking other buildings to do the same.
On OneBoston Day, April 15th, a thank you flag will be placed on the
company's 200 Berkeley Street building.
As part of the initiative, the MBTA will light the T's Government Station
building blue and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will light
the Zakim Bridge in Boston and the Burns Bridge in Shrewsbury blue from
April 6th until the morning of April 21st. The Mayor's office will also
light City Hall blue starting on April 6th.
John Hancock, the B.A.A., Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh are calling on
others - from the business community to individual residents - to do the
same by lighting their buildings, showing support online and displaying
signs of gratitude in their homes.
Templates to print and color, or post online, reading: "You are essential.
We are grateful." are available here.
As a gesture of gratitude for their lifesaving work, the B.A.A., in
partnership with John Hancock, will contribute 124 Boston Marathon
invitational entry bibs to those responding hospitals battling the COVID-19
pandemic, the Boston Resiliency Fund, and organizations on the front lines
of the crisis.
The majority of these institutions are part of the existing John Hancock
Non-Profit and B.A.A. Charity programs and include the American Red Cross,
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston Medical Center, Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston
Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts Eye & Ear,
Massachusetts General Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Spaulding
Rehabilitation Network, South Shore Hospital, and Tufts Medical Center.
Each organization will have the opportunity to use their bibs in any
capacity. To date, 2020 Boston Marathon runners have raised nearly
$25 million for charity.
"Massachusetts has been John Hancock's home for over 150 years, and we've
seen before the unwavering spirit of our partners and neighbors during
difficult times," said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO of the company.
"The Boston Marathon has always been a collective celebration of
persistence and resilience, and we are looking forward to cheering from the
finish line again on September 14th. Right now, our focus is on the
essential frontline workers, and we are grateful to them for risking their
lives for us."
"Our contribution of invitational entries into the postponed Boston
Marathon is intended to show our appreciation of the healthcare and
frontline workers in this unprecedented battle," said Tom Grilk, CEO of the
B.A.A. "The essential workforce, hospitals and medical support have always
been here for us, and we want to honor them by partnering with our
principal sponsor John Hancock on collaborative efforts to support them at
this crucial time."
"The Commonwealth is fortunate to be home to so many resilient and
dedicated residents as we fight COVID-19, and we are especially grateful
for the countless hours our essential workers are putting into this
battle," said Governor Charlie Baker. "This is a great opportunity to show
how united the Commonwealth stands in the fight against COVID-19, so we are
asking organizations and individuals across Massachusetts to join us in
showing support for the dedicated essential workers on the front lines of
the fight by turning the Commonwealth blue."
"Boston is a city known for its collaborative, team spirit. We know how to
lift each other up in the face of adversity," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud
to work with Governor Baker, John Hancock and the B.A.A. on this effort -
and join them in encouraging all businesses and citizens to go blue. Let's
show our frontline workers that there's an army of support behind each and
everyone of them."
As part of John Hancock's long standing commitment to build a healthier,
more equitable Boston, the company helped the City launch the Boston
Resiliency Fund as one of the first to contribute $1 million to support
COVID-19 relief for the most vulnerable and affected populations in Boston.
The B.A.A. also contributed $100,000 to the Boston Resiliency Fund, in
addition to donating race-related medical supplies to agencies across
Massachusetts, including medical and non-medical grade gloves, medical
grade face shields, face masks, IV fluid bags, hand sanitizer, antiseptic,
thermometer covers, nebulizer tubing sets, and ponchos.
For more information, visit
www.johnhancock.com/about-us/boston-marathon.html.
ABOUT JOHN HANCOCK AND MANULIFE
John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading
international financial services group that helps people make their
decisions easier and lives better. We operate primarily as John Hancock in
the United States, and Manulife globally, including Canada, Asia and
Europe. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset
management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. Assets under
management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were CAD$1.2
trillion (US$0.9 trillion) as of December 31, 2019. Manulife Financial
Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the
SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.
One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock
supports more than 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial
products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans,
and college savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be
found at johnhancock.com.
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