Volunteers complete building projects

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John Marshall Lee assists some young girls on the swings at the new playground. Ryan Palencer/Flyer photo

May 5, 2009

By Ryan Palencer The Hendricks County Flyer Tue May 05, 2009, 09:12 AM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS — All last week, volunteers from around the world were in Indianapolis participating in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Foundation’s 50th anniversary community service project.

The project included building three Habitat for Humanity homes, building a playground, and refurbishing the camp grounds at Bradford Woods. All of these projects will contribute nearly half a million dollars to the Indianapolis community.

“The focus is on families and children,” said John Marshall Lee of the MDRT. “It’s doing something for others that you may never get a thank you for. It’s a hand-off. It’s the relay of life.”

Despite the rainy weather, volunteers completed the projects in less than a week. The five-day project completed the three new homes and a $75,000, 12,000 square-foot state-of-the-art Kids Around the World (KIDS) playground at the West Morris Street Free Methodist Church.

“It’s unpleasant, it hasn’t been soaking rain,” Lee said. “People come out of their comfort zone (while doing the project). They eat some different food. They get up at different times, so it’s a little bit different. But they are here with other people who are like them.”

A dedication ceremony was held to open the playground and one of the Habitat for Humanity houses to the new homeowners at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Speakers at the event included Lee, Indianapolis Deputy Mayor of Neighborhoods Olgen Williams, and Dayton Molendorp, president and CEO of OneAmerica, who was one of the sponsors.

“When we come to an event like this and see people from all around the world who really care about humanity, it excites you,” Williams said. “The sun is not just shining above us, but it is shining here on the ground today because of the great work done here.”

The MDRT was founded in 1959 as a way for Round Table members to give back to their communities. The MDRT is an international, independent association of more than 31,000 members of life insurance and financial services professionals. It has more than 225 members in Indiana and 58 members in Indianapolis. Since its beginning, the foundation has donated more than $23 million to more than 3,000 worthy charities worldwide. The majority of the funds were raised by MDRT members.

In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary, the MDRT will also hold its 2009 annual meeting in Indianapolis from June 7 to 11. More than 5,000 people from around the world are expected to attend the meeting.

“There are 35,000 members of the Million Dollar Round Table around the world,” Lee said. “Six or seven thousand come to our annual meetings in June. These are the best meetings in our industry. They cross all companies and countries.”

ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com

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