The organization of Metlife is disgusting and sends people in circles. There is no definitive number to contact them...there are a hundred and you will get all the wrong ones unless you check back with the original employer to what contact number they may have.
To prep blackberries for making a puree: Heat the blackberries, fresh or thawed, in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for every 1 cup of berries, fresh or thawed. Heat to warm the berries through, stirring as needed. Blackberry puree can be made with or without seeds. One cup of fresh blackberries produces 1/2 cup of puree, while 1 cup of thawed berries produce 3/4 cup of puree. Store the puree, seeded or seedless, in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for three to five days.
In a small pot over a burner, combine the sugar and water and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Boil the water until the simple syrup reduces to about half of its original volume. While the water is boiling, puree the strawberries and maple syrup in a blender or food processor until they make a smooth sauce. Off of the heat, combine the strawberry puree and simple syrup and whisk together. Whisk in the vanilla and cinnamon as well. Put the pot back onto the stove and continue boiling until the syrup reduces to about half of its volume again.