The Empire Life Insurance Company has been honoured with the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation 2011 Davies Award for Philanthropy. The award was presented to the company at a community event held on Wednesday in Kingston, Ont.

Michael and Elaine Davies presented the award, which recognizes outstanding philanthropic leadership benefiting Kingston’s health sciences centre and the provision of healthcare for the people of Kingston and Southeastern Ontario.

“At Empire Life, we strongly believe that the strength of our community contributes to the strength of our company,” said Les Herr, president and CEO. “We are fiercely proud to be a part of the Kingston community and very happy that we can support the health of its citizens through our donation to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.”

Empire Life provided a $1 million pledge to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation redevelopment campaign for Kingston’s hospitals. The gift has helped to fund new and expanded health care facilities at Kingston’s three hospitals, purchase patient care equipment, and support medical research and staff education.