A Shared Mission of Hope: Assurance Financial’s Partnership with St. Jude Continues to Grow, Surpassing $100,000 Raised in 2024
Baton Rouge, LA | October 9, 2025
What began in 2018 as a simple desire to make a difference has grown into one of Assurance Financial’s proudest and most impactful partnerships. For seven years, the company has stood alongside St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, helping fund research, treatment, and hope for children and families facing the unimaginable.
Since joining St. Jude as a corporate partner, Assurance Financial has raised more than $690,000 to support the hospital’s mission to advance cures and prevention for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. This year, the company’s collective effort to give back reached new heights, with an additional $100,000 raised through employee initiatives, community events, and a shared passion for the cause.
For Assurance Financial, the partnership is personal. It is about people coming together, loan officers, corporate staff, partners, and clients, to stand for something beyond business. It is about ensuring that families at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, because, as Assurance often says, all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
That purpose was felt deeply this fall at the Serve for St. Jude Pickleball Social, held at Court to Table in Baton Rouge. The event was more than a fundraiser; it was a celebration of community, compassion, and hope. Employees and partners filled the courts for a day of friendly competition, while local supporters joined in the fun through a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and games designed to keep the energy high and the donations flowing.
By the end of the day, more than $50,000 had been raised, tripling the amount from the previous year and setting a new record for the event. The Serve for St. Jude Pickleball Social has quickly become a cornerstone of Assurance Financial’s annual fundraising, with plans already underway to make it an even larger tradition in the years to come.
“We’re thrilled to see the incredible turnout and the generosity of everyone who contributed to this cause,” said Kenny Hodges, CEO of Assurance Financial. “At Assurance, we believe our company’s success goes hand in hand with giving back. Supporting St. Jude means helping children and families in their greatest time of need, and we are honored to play a role in ensuring no family has to face this journey alone.”
“The Pickleball Event was more than just a day of fun,” added Steve Ward, President of Assurance Financial. “It was a reflection of our culture at Assurance. Our team, our partners, and our community came together for something bigger than ourselves. The funds raised will help provide critical care and support for families while advancing medical research that has the power to save lives. That’s something we can all be proud of.”
Katie Cummings, Senior Account Manager, Territory, ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared, “We’re incredibly grateful to Assurance Financial for being a true champion for St. Jude. Their continued partnership and commitment to hosting unique and fun events like the Serve for St. Jude Pickleball Social are making a real impact, raising awareness and vital funds for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. Their leadership is inspiring others in the communities they serve, and we’re honored to celebrate the difference they’re making.”
Beyond the event, Assurance Financial’s “Apps for Kids” campaign continues to be one of its most impactful initiatives. Each September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the company donates $50 to St. Jude for every loan application completed. It is a simple act with powerful results. Hundreds of families have benefited, and every loan represents more than a financial transaction; it is a contribution toward saving lives.
Since 2018, Assurance Financial’s employees, clients, and partners have united under one shared belief: that every child deserves the chance to go home. What started as a partnership has evolved into a defining part of the company’s culture, a reflection of what is possible when compassion meets commitment.
About Assurance Financial
Founded in 2001, Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With licensed loan officers across the country, Assurance offers a wide range of loan products to meet the needs of today’s homeowners. The company is guided by a commitment to exceptional service, innovative solutions, and a culture of giving back to the communities it serves.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude freely shares its discoveries so every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit www.stjude.org.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Director of Marketing
Assurance Financial
jthames@assurancemortgage.com
859-539-5953