Bridge Society member Cathy Rein’s philanthropic spirit was born of personal experience. Hard work and perseverance fueled her journey from small steel-town girl in Pennsylvania to president and CEO of MetLife Auto and Home.

“I was the first person in my family to go to college,” she said. “It was always an important goal for me. But there were times when I wasn’t sure I’d have the money to enroll for the next semester.” Despite these financial concerns, Cathy’s parents made it clear that her family was very lucky. “They always taught us to share our good fortune with those in need,” she said.

“I give to the Chaplaincy's because I am a big believer in the impact of healthcare personnel on patients and families,” she said, recalling her own family’s experience when her young sister-in-law died of brain cancer. “Everyone needs help coping,” she said. “Professional chaplains are educated to be there at a difficult time.”

Knowing her own education would be key, Cathy graduate from Penn State University with a degree in labor relations. But marriage brought her to New York City, where she attended NYU Law School and served as a Wall Street corporate lawyer. A providential career twist eventually landed her back in human resources—at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Today she is president and CEO of its subsidiary, MetLife Auto and Home, the twelfth-largest property and casualty company in the United States.

“We offer a promise to be there for people when they really need us, much like HealthCare Chaplaincy,” she said. Cathy also chairs the Metropolitan Life Foundation. Her dedication to her job is clear: each week she travels from her beloved home in New York City to her office in Rhode Island!

True to her parents’ lessons, Cathy believes strongly in supporting organizations that help those who are struggling.

“Giving to a caring, professional organization like the Chaplaincy's represents one of the many good things one can do,” she said. “And I feel confident that my donations are managed well and managed honorably.”

Remembering her own tuition struggles, Cathy has also endowed three undergraduate scholarship funds for liberal arts students at Penn State—two in honor of her parents.

Cathy would encourage others to learn more about the Chaplaincy's . “Especially in a city like New York, which can feel cold and impersonal sometimes,” she said, “the Chaplaincy's ’s professionally-trained, multifaith staff brings much-needed humanity to people in crisis.”

	With gratitude, HealthCare Chaplaincy welcomes the following donors whose gifts between 1/2003 and 2/9/2004 have qualified them to become new members of The Bridge Society, The Chaplain's leadership giving circle. Lilyan H.Affinito Marilyn and John Beck Julie P. Cho Martine and Gerald A.Conway Mrs.Harry De Witt Tessa and Michael Dimin Erin and Dirk Dinkeloo Melissa B. Eisenstat and Jonathan Blau Charlotte M. Ford Candice and John Frawley Rabbi David Israel and Shara P. Israel Heather A. and Paul F. Jordan Frances G. Laserson Stephen A. Laserson Gayle K. Lee Rita Lynch Martha and John D.Mabie Catherine C. and Donald B.Marron The Reverend and Mrs.William A.McConnell Eileen and Arthur B.Newman Edgar D. Jannotta and Erika C. Pearsall Lisa and Richard Perry Joyce and Donald Rumsfeld Judy and T. Timothy Ryan Jill and Howard F. Sharfstein Suzanne T. Smart Viki and Adam Solomon Rabbi Shira Stern and Rabbi Donald Weber Vera Stern Callie and Gerald J. Tyrell Janet S.Walker and William N.Walker Mary Katherine Wallace Julia and Laurie J.Warder Shelby White Ann S. and William G.Whitney