Royal Neighbors celebrates 130 years and ‘power of service’

Wendy Ridenhour  loves her job with Royal Neighbors of America in Rock Island. As a customer service official with the insurance and financial services provider, she answers calls and questions from customers and agents who need answers about policies. She appreciates working for a company that deeply cares for people. “They really care about the […]

Wendy Ridenhour  loves her job with Royal Neighbors of America in Rock Island. As a customer service official with the insurance and financial services provider, she answers calls and questions from customers and agents who need answers about policies. She appreciates working for a company that deeply cares for people. “They really care about the community. …  I really like working for a company that cares so much about people,” the Davenport woman said Sunday afternoon, May 18, during Royal Neighbors' 130th anniversary celebration.

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That celebration, held in and around the Royal Neighbors downtown headquarters at 230 16th St., attracted more than 100 guests. Many of those people were Royal Neighbors employees, their families, members, and business and community leaders. The crowd took part in a variety of games for children, and enjoyed food, music, a historic tour of the company and had plenty of time to visit with friends and co-workers. But much of the event centered around the theme Ms. Ridenhour discussed – the company helps people. “We exist to help people. … It’s about the power of service to give back,” Zarifa Reynolds, president and CEO of Royal Neighbors of America, said during a presentation to the celebratory crowd. Ms. Reynolds and other Royal Neighbors leaders on Sunday said that power of service can be seen in almost everything it does. They pointed out some of the company’s good work from the past year included the fact that in 2024 it delivered $43.8 million in social good impact and 96% of its employees volunteered, contributing more than 195,000 volunteer hours. That commitment to helping the community also was a major theme of a proclamation from the City of Rock Island. That proclamation, presented and read Sunday by former Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, stated, in part: “Royal Neighbors’ members, employees and philanthropic programs have continuously uplifted Rock Island and beyond, aligning with the city’s mission to create a thriving and connected community.” Many of the guests on hand also commented about how Royal Neighbors helps the community and its people thrive. For instance, Jack Cullen, executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, praised it for being a driving force in the community by being a major employer and force for good in the QC region. “Their flag is planted in the ground in downtown Rock Island. … Royal Neighbors is an integral part of our business community,” he added. In addition to its focus on the company’s impact and good works, Sunday’s celebration was a time to have fun. Activities included a catered meal; a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony; a bouncy house for children; an arts table for kids; photo opportunities with a purple carpet and balloon arch; an employee group photo; and a presentation by Allison Coppell, CEO of the American Fraternal Alliance, a business partner of Royal Neighbors. Throughout the party, “130” emblems appeared on everything from cupcakes to signage decorating the celebration area in the company’s parking lot. It also was a time to remember Royal Neighbors’ history. During the celebration, the front lobby of its Rock Island headquarters was opened and transformed into a mini museum with displays of photographs, old newsletters, quilts and historic documents for visitors. Many artifacts focused on the organization’s origins. Royal Neighbors began with a newspaper ad in 1888 inviting the wives of Modern Woodmen of America, a nearby fraternal financial services provider, to meet for a social get-together. Nine women met, and a year later, they organized a secret social organization called Royal Neighbors of America, which grew to become a fraternal benefit society chartered in 1895, according to Royal Neighbors historical information. It was founded in 1895 as a membership organization by those nine pioneering women who recognized the need to insure the lives of women and children. Now, with more than 250,000 members nationwide, it offers life insurance and annuity products to its members and is driven by its mission of supporting women and serving communities. “Today, I think about those nine women who created this legacy. … It’s a really a beautiful thing,” Ms. Reynolds told the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal during the celebration.