The Sun Will Rise Foundation Awarded $5,000 from Houston Insurance

Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance have awarded Houston Insurance a 2024 Make More Happen Award for its volunteerism with The Sun Will Rise Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides free peer grief support for those who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use related causes. The award includes an initial donation of $5,000 for The Sun Will Rise Foundation which can be doubled to $10,000 just by having community supporters vote online.

The Houston Insurance and The Sun Will Rise Foundation community story will be highlighted on the official Make More Happen microsite at https://www.agentgiving.com/Houston-Insurance, where supporters can vote to help the team reach their donation goal. If the featured story receives at least 500 votes, the $5,000 donation will be raised to $10,000.

The Sun Will Rise Foundation has grown from hosting one meeting a month for people bereaved to substance use related causes to now having 30 meetings a month. The $10,000 donation will be allocated towards expanding existing programs to reach underserved populations and launching new initiatives aimed at addressing critical needs within the bereaved community. A portion of the donation will also be used for capacity-building initiatives to strengthen its organizational infrastructure and sustainability such as adding staff, training volunteers or investing in marketing and outreach efforts to raise awareness.

“We are honored and incredibly grateful for being awarded the 2024 Make More Happen Award so we can continue to help our community,” said Robyn Houston-Bean, partner at Houston Insurance. “The Sun Will Rise Foundation has had a significant impact in Massachusetts, and we are thrilled to double the donation with community support.”

The Sun Will Rise Foundation exists because Robyn Houston-Bean’s twenty-year-old son Nicholas Bean died to an accidental polysubstance overdose in May of 2015. Trying to find purpose and a reason to go on after a traumatic sudden loss, she knew that when she could function again, she would do something in his memory. Knowing the value of peer grief support groups, and the need for some in her area, she decided to start a Massachusetts grief support group called The Sun Will Rise, for those that have experienced the death of someone they care due to overdose or other substance use related causes.

Throughout the year, the agency extends unwavering support to the organization through a comprehensive approach encompassing volunteerism and donations. Employees are encouraged to pursue personal volunteer efforts with paid time off, leveraging their unique skills for the nonprofit's benefit. This consistent blend of volunteerism, in-kind services, ongoing donations, and awareness initiatives underscores the agency's commitment to providing sustained and holistic support to the nonprofit.

“Recognizing independent agents’ dedication to their communities and nonprofit partners is what the Make More Happen Awards is all about,” said Christina Casal, Safeco Insurance Northeast Region Senior Territory Manager. “Houston Insurance is a shining example of the amazing work independent agents do in the Massachusetts area and we hope sharing inspiring stories motivates others to do the same.”

Throughout 2024, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select up to 37 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award donating up to $370,000 to the nonprofits they support. Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application and photos demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit.