NCMIC was recently voted by readers of Des Moines Business Record as the Best Business Supporting Charity (as well as Runner-Up for Best Company to Work For). That recognition comes as no surprise to anyone at EveryStep. NCMIC and its staff are steadfast supporters of EveryStep. Wherever you find an EveryStep event, you’ll likely find a NCMIC logo or employee nearby.
The connection between NCMIC and EveryStep runs deep. NCMIC’S newly promoted Vice President of Insurance Operations, Melissa Knutson, serves on EveryStep’s Board of Trustees. But NCMIC’s involvement with EveryStep predates her term.
“I have been involved with EveryStep for nearly seven years as a member of the Board of Trustees,” Melissa says, “Before joining the board, my NCMIC colleague Dave Baccile served as a trustee and introduced me to the opportunity to become more involved with the organization.”
The more that Melissa found out about our organization, the more she found there was to love. “As I learned more about EveryStep, I was struck by the breadth of its work and the way it supports Iowans during some of life's most important and vulnerable moments,” she says, “From helping young families get off to a strong start to providing compassionate care and guidance during illness, loss, and grief, EveryStep is there for people when they need it most.”
“That commitment to serving people with compassion, dignity, and empathy is what drew me in and has kept me engaged over the years,” she says.
Melissa says the strength of NCMIC’s partnership with EveryStep lies in the shared values she sees in our missions. “At the heart of the partnership is a strong alignment in values. EveryStep's mission to empower individuals, support families, and strengthen communities complements NCMIC's vision: We Take Care of Our Own,” she says, “For both organizations, caring for people goes beyond words; it's something we put into action.”
EveryStep and NCMIC will be in action together later this fall during the annual Cheer Box campaign. NCMIC can always be counted on to put their gift-wrapping skills to use, helping EveryStep’s grief and loss team to complete hundreds of gift boxes for those facing the holidays after a loss.
Melissa says getting the whole team involved deepens the relationship between the organizations. “Our employees get to experience that connection firsthand through programs like Cheer Box and the Amazing FundRacer. These opportunities are always popular because they give our team a chance to serve together while also having fun,” she says.
The same voters that named NCMIC as the Best Company for Supporting Charity also named EveryStep’s Amazing FundRacer as a runner-up for Best Nonprofit Fundraiser. It’s no coincidence that Melissa says her NCMIC team is partial to that event, too.
“The Amazing FundRacer is definitely my favorite. I enjoy spending time with my NCMIC colleagues, meeting other EveryStep supporters, and adding a little friendly competition to the mix,” she says, “It's a great example of how supporting a good cause can also bring people together and create lasting memories. I haven't managed to win the race yet, but I'll definitely keep trying!”
