For Suzanne Allison of Allison Insurance Group, serving others has always been personal. She grew up in a family where her basic needs were met—and where helping children and families whose needs were not met was simply part of life.
“I have seen the concrete floors, the bedrooms with nothing but a pile of clothes or a blanket to sleep on, the living areas with nothing but a chair or two, and kitchens with nowhere to eat and almost-empty refrigerators,” she said.
That firsthand understanding is one reason Allison volunteers with the Jackson, Tennessee, chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds beds for children in need. The organization was one of 14 Tennessee nonprofits supported through Ignite Your Impact. Nominated by MEM’s independent agent partners, 35 organizations across Missouri, Tennessee, Kansas, Illinois and Arkansas received a total of $26,000 in donations.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace launched in Jackson in July 2025 and has already provided more than 100 beds to area children. Allison said MEM’s donation will help move children off the wait list and into beds of their own.
Agents choose causes that matter to them
Across Tennessee, Ignite Your Impact supported organizations addressing community needs—from child advocacy and youth development to basic needs and support for families facing childhood diseases.
“We appreciate MEM’s support for a great cause that impacts individual lives and makes our community better as a whole,” said Josh Gibbons, president at Watauga Insurance Inc. “We are blessed to have partners like MEM.”
Through Gibbons’ nomination, MEM donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Johnson City and Washington County, helping expand support for local children and families.
Kendal Russell-Hamed, another Tennessee agent, nominated the Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center for a donation.
“This cause is meaningful to me because I believe that a strong community starts with supporting children and families. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported, regardless of their circumstances. Organizations that provide advocacy, resources and hope during difficult times can have a lasting impact, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to work that helps build brighter futures.”
Kendal Russell-Hamed, Fortified Insurance, nominator of Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center
MEM’s giving goes beyond one campaign
Ignite Your Impact is one part of MEM’s broader commitment to community investment. Throughout the year, MEM supports nonprofit organizations through sponsorships, employee matching gifts, charitable contributions, and in-kind services. Its corporate impact program focuses on efforts that help build a skilled workforce, improve health outcomes, and create safety and stability for people in need.
MEM also makes community impact funds available to nonprofit organizations annually and offers a 1:1 charitable match to agents in our Signature Partner Program. The match helps agents extend their own community giving with additional support from MEM.
Together, these programs reflect MEM’s commitment to helping agents strengthen their local impact and support organizations that serve meaningful needs across their communities.
Tennessee organizations supported by Ignite Your Impact
| MEM Appointed Agency Nominator | Organization |
|---|---|
| Burchfiel-Overbay & Associates | Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains, Sevierville |
| Watauga Insurance Inc. | Boys and Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County, Johnson City |
| Boyle Insurance Agency Inc | Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis |
| Insight Risk Management | Eternal Bread Ministry, Bartlett |
| Higginbotham Insurance Agency | Heaven’s Cradle, Jackson |
| Southpoint Risk | Humane Society of Dickson County, Dickson |
| Assured Insurance Consultants | Kingsport Homeless Ministry-Grace House, Kingsport |
| SBK Insurance | Next Step for Life, Cookeville |
| Assured Partners/Gallagher | Make-A-Wish Mid-South, Memphis |
| Southpoint Risk | Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee |
| Allison Insurance Group | Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Jackson, TN Chapter, Jackson |
| Insight Risk Management | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis |
| Fortified | Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center, Cookeville |
| Shafer Insurance Agency | The Wesley House, Knoxville |