Sammons Financial Group announced that it donated nearly $4.7 million to charitable organizations in its corporate locations, including more than $1.2 million to Central Iowa organizations. The organizations include the Community Outreach Program, United Way, Principal Charity Classic, Special Olympics Iowa, Meals from the Heartland, Children’s Cancer Connection and Dorothy’s House. Employees at Sammons’ West Des Moines headquarters also volunteered more than 9,100 hours, a 70% increase from the previous year. “Year after year I’m impressed that our employees continue to meet and exceed our prior years’ commitments,” Esfand Dinshaw, Sammons chairman and CEO, said in a prepared statement. “Thank you to every person who donated their time and talents to making our communities a better place. Our work truly empowers futures and changes lives.”