Western & Southern Compassion Helps Army

by Robert Mitchell

Employees of Western & Southern Financial Group showed up last month at The Salvation Army in Cincinnati, Ohio, to drop off 20 boxes of food, brand-new coats, clothing, toys, sporting goods, and hygiene items as part of the nationwide Spirit of Giving campaign. 

That show of compassion from the employees of the Cincinnati-based company is nothing new, said Major Martha Bone, director of operations for Greater Cincinnati Area Services. 

“They’re very charitable and generous to us,” Bone said. “The corporate partnership has been great over the years. There’s been a real history of giving.” 

Earlier in the same month, Western & Southern presented The Salvation Army in Cincinnati with a record-breaking check of $134,572.30 from donations made at the annual Crib of the Nativity display.  

Western & Southern matches donations made by visitors to the display in Eden Park. This year, visitor donations totaled $67,286.15. More than 57,800 people visited the Nativity scene during the 2024 holiday season. 

This year’s donation was the largest in the more than 30 years that Western & Southern’s foundation has matched the funds collected at the Nativity display. The 2024 donation was 6.5% higher than last year’s. In total, the Crib of the Nativity has generated $1.04 million in funding support to The Salvation Army to benefit the citizens of Cincinnati. 

“The Crib of the Nativity display continues to be a source of inspiration and hope for many of us every holiday season,” said John F. Barrett, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Western & Southern Financial Group, during the check presentation at The Salvation Army. “Our company is honored to help our community and give from the heart just as so many generous Cincinnatians do time and time again. This kind of support is so crucial to helping The Salvation Army continue its efforts to make a difference every day for our neighbors in need.” 

That’s not the end of the company’s giving to The Salvation Army in the Queen City. 

Bone said three Western & Southern employees serve on the Greater Cincinnati Advisory Board, including Linda Lake, senior vice president of human resources; Mark Caner, president of W&S Financial Group Distributors; and Mario San Marco, senior vice president of economic development. San Marco is a lifetime member of the advisory board. Additionally, Caner also serves on The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board.

For more information on The Salvation Army in Greater Cincinnati, visit easternusa.salvationarmy.org/greater-cincinnati.