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State Farm Earns Recognition for Long-Term Support
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 —
State Farm Chairman and CEO Ed Rust, Jr. accepted a token of appreciation for the company's long-term support of the organization from American Red Cross President and CEO Marty Evans. |
The American Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American public to provide its lifesaving programs and services nationwide. But some donors stand out from the rest due to their long-term, dependable support of our mission. State Farm Insurance Companies is one such dedicated supporter. In recognition of its contributions over the past three years, State Farm was presented with a token of appreciation on January 14, 2003.
State Farm's relationship with the Red Cross dates back to after WWII. Their support over the last five years has been remarkable. In 1999, State Farm donated a $1 million donation with its "Thanks a Million" campaign celebrating the sale of 1 million life insurance policies. The company was also the premier sponsor for the 1999 and 2000 Red Cross Holiday Special fundraiser, donating $1.5 million for each of those events. As a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), State Farm's support of $2 million over a four-year period helps to provide a stable base of funding for response to thousands of disasters nationwide each year. When tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, the State Farm family again supported the important work of the Red Cross with a $1 million corporate gift to the Liberty Fund and $3 million in donations from employees to support our response to that unprecedented disaster.
"State Farm and its employees are steadfast and generous supporters of the Red Cross," said Marsha J. Evans, American Red Cross President and CEO. "Together, in the past three years, they have made financial contributions totaling $9 million that have supported our nationwide disaster response efforts and other programs that will help keep our neighborhoods safe and prepared for emergencies. They continually demonstrate a passion for our humanitarian work, and we are grateful for their dedicated support."
State Farm recently committed $500,000 to develop and pilot the Safe Neighborhood Network program. This innovative grassroots program promotes disaster safety to heads of households and their families through an organized effort at the neighborhood level led by neighborhood volunteers. This effort will be piloted in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2003 and expanded over the next two years to other areas, then nationwide
"We respect the American Red Cross and value our long-time partnership with the organization," said State Farm Chairman and CEO Ed Rust, Jr. "What the American Red Cross does--help people recover from the unexpected--is consistent with our mission."
The company is also a strong supporter of the chapter in Bloomington, Illinois, where its headquarters is located. The American Red Cross of the Heartland spends the equivalent of one month a year - 31 days - collecting blood at the various corporate and regional offices of State Farm. Nearly one out of every four units of blood collected by the chapter comes from State Farm employees. State Farm Great Lakes Zone is a premier sponsor of "Evening of Stars," the chapter's largest fundraiser; contributing $10,000 in cash and a similar amount of in-kind technical support for the event. "We truly value the long-term relationship that we have with our State Farm Friends," said Lyn Hruska, Executive Director, American Red Cross of the Heartland. "They DO live where we live!"
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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