Manulife Financial kicks off 2010 United Way Campaign with CEO Putting Challenge

$40,000 raised for United Way Toronto

TORONTO, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial Corporation kicked off its annual United Way campaign today on the greens of the Company's head office with the Manulife Financial United Way CEO Putting Challenge, which helped raise awareness of, and $40,000 for, United Way Toronto.

Manulife President and CEO Donald Guloien, United Way Toronto President and CEO Susan McIsaac and Ed Clark, President and CEO of TD Bank Financial Group and Chair of the 2010 United Way Toronto Campaign, squared off with 12 other teams of CEOs, United Way agency partners and local media to sink putts worth $1,000 each for United Way Toronto. There was also a bonus round for media on a longer green for an added $5,000 for every successful putt.

"We are proud to support the annual United Way Toronto Campaign. At Manulife, we understand the importance of being there for the long-term - for our customers or for important charitable organizations doing great work in our community," Guloien said. "That is what we mean when we talk about providing strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions."

While a range of putting techniques and experience were on view, it was clear that every participant was there to enthusiastically support the important work of United Way Toronto.

"United Way Toronto recently announced its campaign fundraising goal of $113-million and today's putting challenge was a fun and creative way to help us achieve our target," said Clark. "While the economy is showing signs of a slow and gradual recovery, it doesn't mean that everyone's situation is improving. The need is still great and together we can help make Toronto a stronger, more vibrant city."

A Tradition of Giving and Community Leadership

Manulife's annual United Way campaign is run entirely by employee volunteers who organize events, collect donations and inspire their colleagues to get involved. It is now one of the most successful campaigns in the GTA, both in terms of dollars raised and employee participation.

In 2009, more than 14,000 Manulife employees in Canada donated 58,000 hours supporting their communities in numerous ways, including running, rowing, biking, mentoring students, building houses and giving blood. Since going public in 1999, Manulife and its employees have given a phenomenal $15 million to the United Way Toronto.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 22 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients worldwide have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients around the world. We provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in life and property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were $454 billion (US$428 billion) as at June 30, 2010. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com

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