John Hancock’s 2009 Boston Marathon Fundraising Program Raises $3.7 Million For Local Organizations

BOSTON, August 25, 2009 – John Hancock’s Boston Marathon Fundraising Program raised $3.7 million for non-profit and community service organizations during the 113th running of the historic race. Through the program – now in its 24th year – marathon entry numbers (or “bibs”) were distributed to runners who raised an average of $4,000 each for various nonprofit groups, exceeding their goal of $3,000.

As part of the overall total, 89 employees of John Hancock and Manulife, its parent company, participated in the employee marathon program and raised $176,000. For the third year in a row, these employees made a difference in the lives of youth and families most in need. Funds raised through John Hancock associates, for example, were used to expand the Company’s commitment to summer jobs for teens. As a result of their efforts, 100 additional students received internships this summer through the BostonParks and Recreation Department.

For their part, Manulife employees raised monies for their nonprofit of choice, Habitat for Humanity Canada, raising more than $26,000.

As the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock provides select non-profit organizations with invitational marathon entries that enable funds to be raised for their organizations. The entries are distributed to runners who wish to raise money but who would not necessarily qualify for race entry based on their personal running times.

“We are proud of the generosity of our employees, who run to give back to our community. And we are proud that as the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon we are able to make it possible for so many individuals to contribute to the work of important service organizations in greater Boston,” said James R. Boyle, President of John Hancock.

Locally, some of the 59 organizations benefiting from the 2009 Boston Marathon Fundraising Program included the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Massachusetts GeneralHospital, RonBurtonTrainingVillage, Women’s Lunch Place, and Youth Enrichment Services.

South Boston non-profit neighbors of John Hancock receiving entries this year were the South Boston Neighborhood House and the South Boston Boys & Girls Club. Also raising money through the Marathon program were the Boston Public Library, Mutual Funds Against Cancer, Samaritans, and the Hole in the Wall Gang.

In addition to the Boston Marathon Fundraising Program, John Hancock continues to be committed to maintaining its overall sponsorship of the Boston Marathon. This support amounts to an annual cost to John Hancock of several million dollars. The economic value to the community of the Boston Marathon weekend has been calculated to be nearly $100 million per year. The Boston Marathon Fundraising Program is part of John Hancock’s $10.6 million of support to Boston area community programs in 2009. Last year, the Company contributed 10,000 hours of community service through its employee volunteer programs.

Summer Jobs for Youth

This year, John Hancock partnered with The Boston Globe, BostonUniversity, and Partners HealthCare to expand the MLK Summer Scholars program, providing more than $1,000,000 in funds and in-kind services to support more than 600 jobs throughout the city. This commitment makes the MLK Summer Scholars the largest corporate supporter of summer jobs in the city this year, and one of the largest corporate programs of its kind in the nation.

The MLK Summer Scholars initiative includes John Hancock’s 16-year partnership with the Boston Police Department through the Summer of Opportunity Program. This program, housed at John Hancock, provides summer jobs, educational training and John Hancock mentors for 40 Boston teens.

About John Hancock

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$421 billion (US$362 billion) as at June 30, 2009.

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.