IN THE COMMUNITY Here. For Good. ®


Bunny Johnson, vice president and general manager of J.R. Tallman Insurance Agency in Taunton, MA, is no stranger to giving back to her community. But she has a special reason for much of her community involvement— and a special place in her heart for others in similar situations. She courageously shared her story with us recently.


Bunny Johnson


In 1992, Bunny was diagnosed with breast cancer. “It was a frightening time for me, but eventually I beat it and overcame the greatest challenge of my life.” After overcoming the illness, Bunny began helping others going through cancer treatments. “Seeing others endure chemotherapy and radiation compelled me to help them in any way I could. I felt I had to do something to help find a cure.” It was then that Bunny began to organize casino nights and golf tournaments through the American Cancer Society, and over the past 20 years she has helped raise more than $100,000 for cancer research.


When Bunny found out that more than 13,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, she knew she could help. She partnered with Kids Kickin’ Cancer, a local organization dedicated to assisting families with children who are undergoing cancer treatment in New England. In August, the organization held a golf tournament and raised more than $5,000 for this worthy cause.


Remembering what it was like to be a child, Bunny was grateful for the opportunity to partner with Girls Incorporated when they asked her to be a member of their board in 2009. Girls Inc. is a youth enrichment program based in Taunton that serves girls from age 5 to 15. Using research-based curricula and offering more than 75 programs, including


money management, science, engineering, and mind and body awareness, Girls Inc. inspires young females to be bold and self-confident. The Arbella Insurance Foundation rewarded Girls Inc. with a $25,000 grant, which was used to create a state-of-the-art playground and to develop a shared garden for the students to learn from and use.


Bunny’s philosophy on giving back to the community is simple:


“I do whatever I can, whenever I can, wherever I can. I wish I was a millionaire, but I do my best with what I have.” Every year, Bunny takes full advantage of the Foundation’s agent matching gift program to donate to the American Cancer Society. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to give to the American Cancer Society, and the match from Arbella’s foundation is like the icing on the cake. The process is so easy— all agents should take advantage of what the Foundation has to offer. I thank John Donohue and Bev Tangvik for their incredible commitment to our communities. After beating cancer, I feel like I can beat anything, and partnering with the Foundation to give back in this way makes me feel so good.”


For more information about the Arbella Insurance Foundation, contact Beverly Tangvik, director of charitable giving, at Beverly.tangvik@arbella.com.


TR AD E WI N D S FAL L 2014


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