Approximately 8,600 fire claims and 3,500 auto claims are reported. Fire catastrophes are declared in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Auto catastrophes are declared in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, and Mississippi.

Claim teams are actively making contact and providing initial claim handling efforts for our impacted customers with a focus on the most severe losses.

Catastrophe Customer Care sites are being established in the communities of Florence and Amory, Mississippi with a site in Rolling Fork to open in the future to support claim handling efforts. Fire and auto claim handlers will be onsite to assist agents and policyholders with questions and provide advanced payments, as warranted.

To provide the best possible service and response to customers who have damage from the tornado, the following are in place: 

• Claims adjusters and all necessary State Farm support members are deploying and on-site.
   
• The 1-800-SFCLAIM line is activated and available for customers to begin the claim reporting process, should they be unable to reach their local State Farm agent.
   
• State Farm policyholders who have damage can submit and manage their claim through various channels. This includes calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, submitting a claim through our mobile app or through our website at statefarm.com/claims. Customers may also text the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.

In addition to our on-the-ground team, we also have three Centralized Catastrophe Services (CCS) operations and our Initial Loss Reporting (ILR) teams located throughout the United States. State Farm has the advantage of a fleet of mobile claim handling facilities, innovatively designed to support our ability to provide optimal customer service even under challenging conditions.
 

Making temporary repairs to damaged property:

When it is safe to do so, people with repairable/limited property damage should have reasonable temporary repairs made to prevent further damage to their property. Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps and plywood or other supplies to make repairs.   

Update: Whitney continued her 100 days campaign in the spring of 2021 and plans to do the same in 2022. Last November she worked with her local elementary school to write letters to veterans and lead a toy and clothing drive for children this past holiday season.

"There's no stopping," added Whitney. "Giving is foundational to my life, and it's the foundation of my agency."

Whitney Mork was 19 years old when a random act of kindness changed her life forever. Her father had recently passed away leaving her family in a precarious financial state. She had left the University of Alabama and just started work as a server at a local Birmingham restaurant. She needed to earn money so she could return to school and finish her last three semesters.

That's when Whitney's story took an almost unbelievable turn.

"One night a family came in and I was waiting on their table and they started asking me questions about my situation," said Whitney. "At the end of dinner, they handed me a sizeable check. It was enough money to help me graduate. Instead of paying it back, they asked that I pay it forward."

 
State Farm Agent 
Whitney Mork

Whitney took that generous expression of charity to heart. Now a State Farm agent in Irondale, Ala., she honors that gift with gratitude and responsibility and strives to live every day paying it forward.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she decided to embark on a "100 Days of Kindness" campaign. She and her agency team provided meals for first responders and gift cards for nurses, handed out masks and hand sanitizers, went grocery shopping for customers, and helped spruce up the downtown Birmingham area.

"In all of this uncertainty, I want to be the change I want to see in the world and bring a little bit of hope to people," Whitney said. "Kindness is a chain reaction and it leads to others paying it forward."

"Whitney provided lunch for our department one day and it makes a huge impact just to know people are supporting us during these challenging times," said Chief Chris Mullins of the Mountain Brook Fire Department in Birmingham. "For Whitney to think about us in that way was really touching."

News of her story has spread and people are inspired.

"Numerous State Farm agents across the country have called me, wanting to start their own 100 Days of Kindness campaigns," remarked Whitney. "My advice to them is that something as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee can be impactful."

Whitney plans to start her next 100 days campaign in the spring. It's something she plans to continue for years to come.

Now more than ever, it's important to prepare your home and family to be #HurricaneStrong.

The NOAA 2020 outlook (released May 21) called for 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes – one that is Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher. So far, there have been 25 named storms, nine hurricanes, and three major Hurricanes – Laura and Teddy and Delta.

The 30-year (1981-2010) average is 13 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

State Farm® has joined the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) to help spread the word about the importance of hurricane preparation ahead of the storm.

Visit the interactive #HurricaneStrong website to learn about hurricanes and how to keep homes and families safe before, during, and after a storm. It stresses these 5 major components to being prepared:

1. Know your evacuation zone.
2. Build a disaster supply kit.
3. Have an insurance check-up.
4. Strengthen your home.
5. Help your neighbor.

www.HurricaneStrong.org even has a special page for children to help them understand their role in the safety process.

In the News:

• WBRC-6:  Time to prepare for inland flooding from Hurricane Sally is now (9/14/20)
• Houston Chronicle: Season's first hurricane gives Texans a taste of how COVID has shaped insurance claims (8/4/20)
• AccuWeather: Now is the time to prepare for hurricane season (6/1/20)

“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said Dan Krause, Senior Vice President. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Alabama customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

In addition to the auto rate reduction, the discount for participating in Drive Safe & Save™ is increasing to 10%, and empowers drivers to save more on their auto premiums through driving behaviors.

Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

Join the conversation on Yammer!

After being displaced by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and having a lousy holiday, 3-year-old Bridges and his mother, Christie, were due for a positive experience.

And this Christmas had all the signs of being a good one.

Christie had saved and bought Bridges new toys and clothes. She was excited to surprise him on Christmas morning. As part of the holiday spirit, she encouraged him to gather up toys he had outgrown to give to charity.

New and old, everything was locked in Christie’s car overnight to keep Bridges’ curiosity at bay.

Then the unimaginable happened.

Thieves broke into Christie’s car and took everything as part of a burglary spree in her neighborhood. Christie was distraught and heartbroken.

She had renter’s insurance and called State Farm Claims. The record of her call showed up in Agent Lad Drago’s office in Spanish Fort, Ala.

Agent Team Members Rebecca Grizzle and Cat Holladay saw the claim first that morning.

“It immediately pulled at our heart strings,” Cat says. “Because her deductible exceeded the value of the items stolen, we couldn’t help from an insurance standpoint, but we still wanted to do something.”

With Lad’s permission, Cat and Rebecca pooled their money and asked other agent team members if they wanted to donate. The pair went shopping over their lunch hour and that evening, wrapped the gifts at home that night and brought them back to the office the next morning.

The next day, Rebecca called and told her they had a few questions about the break-in and asked her to stop by the office.

“She came to the office that morning and brought Bridges with her,” Cat says. “We sat her down, and Lad told her all the gifts under the tree were for Bridges. She broke down crying right there in the chair. She kept saying over and over about how no one had ever done anything like that for her.”

“It made my holiday season that we could do this for her,” Rebecca says. “Her face was so full of gratitude.”

“I know I have a great team,” Lad says. “But it was a reminder of how much they care about customers and people in general.”

And this Christmas had all the signs of being a good one.

Christie had saved and bought Bridges new toys and clothes. She was excited to surprise him on Christmas morning. As part of the holiday spirit, she encouraged him to gather up toys he had outgrown to give to charity.

New and old, everything was locked in Christie’s car overnight to keep Bridges’ curiosity at bay.

Then the unimaginable happened.

Thieves broke into Christie’s car and took everything as part of a burglary spree in her neighborhood. Christie was distraught and heartbroken.

She had renter’s insurance and called State Farm Claims. The record of her call showed up in Agent Lad Drago’s office in Spanish Fort, Ala.

Agent Team Members Rebecca Grizzle and Cat Holladay saw the claim first that morning.

“It immediately pulled at our heart strings,” Cat says. “Because her deductible exceeded the value of the items stolen, we couldn’t help from an insurance standpoint, but we still wanted to do something.”

With Lad’s permission, Cat and Rebecca pooled their money and asked other agent team members if they wanted to donate. The pair went shopping over their lunch hour and that evening, wrapped the gifts at home that night and brought them back to the office the next morning.

The next day, Rebecca called Christie and invited her and Bridges to stop by the office.

“She came to the office that morning and brought Bridges with her,” Cat says. “We sat her down, and Lad told her all the gifts under the tree were for Bridges. She broke down crying right there in the chair. She kept saying over and over about how no one had ever done anything like that for her.”

“It made my holiday season that we could do this for her,” Rebecca says. “Her face was so full of gratitude.”

“I know I have a great team,” Lad says. “But it was a reminder of how much they care about customers and people in general.”

The effective date for new and renewal business is April 22. The last rate change in the state was a decrease of 3 percent in May 2018. Combined, the two auto rate decreases will save Alabama customers millions.

“State Farm is very pleased to be able to offer another auto rate decrease in Alabama,” said State Farm Agency Vice President John Langcuster. “Improving expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change."

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary. Rates depend on a customer’s policy and chosen coverage. Customers can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation. Additional opportunities for discounts may apply.

A rate decrease combined with discounts offers exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

In addition to the operational capabilities granted by these FAA waivers, State Farm will continue to utilize drone technology as a tool for our claim representatives to assist in individual inspections of our customers’ homes and properties related to these hurricanes.

It was less than one month ago when Hurricane Florence struck North and South Carolina. State Farm was the first and only insurance company to receive an FAA waiver allowing Claims pilots to operate drones beyond visual line of sight and over people for damage assessment. Drone flights were coordinated with the FAA and Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech as part of the Integration Pilot Program for large-scale damage assessment in Virginia and South Carolina.

State Farm requires the ability to quickly assess damage after significant weather events in order to serve customers as efficiently as possible. Drone technology is an additional tool providing technical capabilities to quickly deploy over an event site and assess damage from the air. Data obtained from drone flights can be used for determining severity of the event for better resource allocation and quick determination of uninhabitable insured property.

State Farm drone pilots will operate eBee fixed-wing drones for flights approved under the FAA waiver for damage assessment. Claims representatives conducting drone flights for roof inspections will utilize Kespry multi-rotor drones.

One winter morning, the danger of that was fully realized.

Devon Spencer was walking to school with a friend on a February morning in 2016 when he was hit by a teenage driver. The saxophone player and basketball and football star died in the hospital five days later from brain injuries related to the crash. The driver was sentenced to five years in prison.

“It was carelessness. It was a mistake,” says Ria Ricks, Devon’s cousin and State Farm^® Claims specialist – Fire, Weather and Catastrophe.

The City of East Brewton submitted a grant with the state of Alabama to put in sidewalks on both sides of the two-lane road, and now, with the help of a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist^® grant, the city can provide its portion of the money to start the project. During the voting process, 167,000 people cast 4.5 million votes in support of their favorite causes.

“This grant will make sure the kids have a safe place to walk to school. East Brewton is a really small, rural area with two schools on Williamson Street. There’s a lot of foot traffic,” Ria, who submitted the cause for the grant, says. “This grant will make the children’s commute easier and safer.”

Ria still tears up when she talks about the day her cousin died.

“When everything happened, they found a pair of shoes on the side of the road, but he had his shoes on him. It turns out he had brought an extra pair of shoes for another student who was being picked on,” she says. “He was the sweetest kid, and so talented and smart.”

The East Brewton Sidewalks for Safety in Memory of Devon Spencer is one of 40 causes receiving a Neighborhood Assist grant in 2018. Ten days of voting pushed the winning 40 out of 200 finalists to the top through the crowd-sourced philanthropic grant program.

“State Farm is here to help life go right in neighborhoods all across the country. We look forward to seeing the changes in these 40 communities because of these Neighborhood Assist grants,” said Allison Bertsche, Public Affairs Director at State Farm.

For a complete list of this year’s Top 40 causes, visit www.NeighborhoodAssist.com.

The gamble paid off, she found a good job. Then two years later she found herself expecting her first child. And like many first-time parents, the anxiety and high costs of child care weighed on her. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do.

In a stroke of luck, Melia was referred to a local nonprofit, Childcare Resources. Thanks to their Resource and Referral Program, Melia found childcare for her baby girl, Kiera.

“Recently, I called Childcare Resources and expressed my thankfulness,” Melia reflected. “I told the executive director, ‘You don’t know me, but more than 20 years ago your organization changed my life for the better. And I just wanted to say, thanks’.”

Childcare Resources makes quality care and education of children happen. They provide information, education and assistance to more than 4,600 clients annually.

“The program eliminated the worry of having to find and to pay the high cost of childcare after bringing a little one into the world,” says Melia.

Childcare Resources, an organization supported by State Farm, continued to help Melia as a new mom. Through their Supplemental Child Care Program, she received financial support that enabled her to attend college. She eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

“The assistance and services I received gave me peace of mind. I was hard at work trying to make a better life for myself and my child. I’m not sure I could have done it without their support,” says Melia.

The Resource and Referral program is a free service. It guides families through the sometimes difficult process of locating quality childcare. The Supplemental Child Care program assists eligible parents by splitting the cost of childcare with the parents.

“It is an incredible honor to help parents like Melia, and getting to witness this every day,” says Joan Wright, Executive Director Childcare Resources. “To see how we affected a family 20 years later is amazing! We are so thankful Melia decided to pick up that phone and let us know the impact we made. Makes all of our hard work worth it!”

Melia is now a homeowner, a wife and mom to 23-year-old Kiera, a high school graduate. “Childcare Resources has no idea how much they helped me,” Melia explained. “I appreciate them for being there for me and my daughter when we needed them the most. My advice to single parents is to always remember hard work pays off and never give up.”

“Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them. It can change everything.” says Matthew Stinson, Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Peer Helper Alumni.

While vacationing with her husband in the fall of 1997, fourth-generation State Farm Agent Frances Holk-Jones experienced a parent’s worst nightmare. She received the call that her 16 year old, Jennifer, had committed suicide.

This left Frances and her husband, Neil, completely devastated and confused. Jennifer had recently started a new school and seemed to be happy and thriving.

Determined to turn their tragedy into something positive, they founded the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation (JCMF) in 1998.  The parents wanted to help other children in Jennifer’s honor.

They learned that often times when youth are experiencing issues in their lives, they are much more likely to talk to their peers rather than any adult. The Foundation started a program to equip local youth with the tools needed to handle these situations. This way, the peer helpers could help their friends through their times of need.

JCMF provides youth with the knowledge, resources and confidence needed to successfully navigate the pressures of day-to-day life. Through the implementation of the “Peer Helper Program,” they help youth on their journey from childhood to adulthood.

“Being a Peer Helper teaches you to deal with your own baggage and then to help others with grief counseling and listening” shared Matthew. “There are lots of reasons to become a peer helper. Everyone starts somewhere different, and everyone has a part where it changes them. It helps a person respect themselves and others.”

“It is very important to our family that Jennifer’s legacy be a positive one. We wanted to prevent others from having to go through such a tragedy.” Frances shared.

Peer Helpers are mentors, tutors, and advocates for their peers. They are trained to recognize when a fellow student has a problem – whether it be emotional, academic, or societal – and to listen and assist accordingly.

Sometimes, what an adult might consider a small struggle, can seem devastating to the adolescent, like moving to a new school or a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend. This is where the Peer Helper program is successful in making a tremendous difference. Peer Helpers attend extensive trainings led by certified Peer Program Coordinators.

“Our youth experience stressful issues just as adults do. The difference is, they tend to share their troubles with their peers rather than their parents,” Frances explained. “We wanted to help equip them with the life skills necessary to be able to handle them in a healthy manner and to lend a hand to others in need.”

“I am proud to say that since its’ inception, we now have this life-impacting program in every public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high school in Baldwin County – 47 total - as well as many of our private schools,” Frances continued.

Matthew says the program helped him because he was bullied when he changed elementary schools. He is so grateful for the program and Frances.

“Frances embodies the spirit of being a peer helper and what gave breath to JCMF. She believes in this more than anyone else. All the little things Frances makes happen is because she cares about the students,” Matthew shared.

The JCMF’s offices are in a renovated home where Frances’ dad grew up in Baldwin County. So the JCMF is truly a family affair. Each year JCMF hosts a conference for teachers from across the world, and they host a rodeo fundraiser.

The JCMF Motto is “Be the good…Show the way…Lend a Hand!” This is what all young people should strive to do and be. Could you be the next peer?

“Jennifer would be proud. She had such a kind, beautiful soul,” shared Frances.

When she couldn't reach him, Julie loaded the car with supplies and headed south. When she arrived in Mississippi, she found the family home destroyed. Fortunately, her father was safe.

The next day, Shiyou-Woodard was deployed to New Orleans with a disaster medical assistance team. “I spent the next few months witnessing suffering and devastation I had only seen in movies,” she recalled.

“At the time, I was principal planner with a local planning commission. Part of my job was to find ways to strengthen our communities before disasters. I saw first-hand what we were doing was not working.”

Right after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a group of Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast residents experienced the same frustration. They started looking for ways to avoid this damage in the future. Their efforts and passion helped form Smart Home America. The organization has since grown and now help groups throughout the country find solutions to strengthen their own communities.

In 2014, Shiyou-Woodard became the president and CEO of Smart Home. With her personal and professional experience, it was a role she embraced to grow the organization.

A perfect example is the Smart Home partnership with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). The FORTIFIED Home™ program strengthens homes from severe storms. Using these construction standards and methods goes beyond emergency preparedness and disaster preparedness. Knowing your home has been FORTIFIED against disaster provides peace of mind.

“When you build FORTIFIED and a hurricane hits, you are more likely to come home after evacuating and sleep in your own bed. You are able to start recovery much sooner,” Shiyou-Woodard explains.

FORTIFIED looks at a home as a system of systems, not individual components. The standards are applicable to both new and existing construction. A fortified evaluator directs the improvements, based on your specific circumstances. Steps involved might be:

• installation of a secondary water barrier,
• ring shank nails or spray foam to strengthen roof connections,
• opening protection (shutters, panels or fabric) and
• metal straps and bolts to connect the roof to walls and walls to the foundation.

The evaluator also certifies efforts for insurance discounts available to FORTIFIED homeowners.

Seeing the coastal success, Tulsa Partners in Oklahoma, has also embraced the program. The nonprofit is committed to creating a disaster resistant and sustainable community. It collaborated with Habitat for Humanity and State Farm to build FORTIFIED homes in the Tulsa area.

“We were very excited to partner with Habitat for a 24-hour FORTIFIED build in August this year,” said Partners Executive Director Tim Lovell. “The FORTIFIED Home Bronze Level addresses the roof system. Specifically, the upgrades reduce wind and water entering the attic through the roof covering and vents.”

Eleven years after Katrina, coastal Alabama is a model for stronger communities. Currently they lead the nation with more than 2,000 FORTIFIED designations. What’s the next mission for Smart Home America?

“We continue to educate about the importance of building better, being properly insured and how to build FORTIFIED,” said Shiyou-Woodard. “Our new Don’t Goof When You Re-Roof initiative and Insurance Shopper’s Guide will help homeowners make informed decisions and be better protected. Outside of Alabama and Mississippi, we’re drawing from our experience and supporting similar groups. Tulsa Partners are leading efforts in Oklahoma to promote IBHS’ newest program, FORTIFIED Home High Wind and Hail.”

Want to get FORTIFIED? The first step is the application. Upon receipt and processing, applicants are provided a list of IBHS Certified FORTIFIED Home™ Evaluators working in their area.

Ducks and chickens, butterflies and birds, fruits and vegetables, and even a pond full of fish… Sounds like a special field trip for school. But at Legacy Elementary in Madison, Alabama, it’s every day.

In 2009, Legacy Elementary School received a State Farm Youth Advisory Board grant to build an outdoor classroom and pond. Over the past seven years, the outdoor classroom has grown close to one acre with plants and animals all around. Every student, kindergarten through fifth, experience and contribute to the pond each day throughout the year.

“The pond is truly the kid’s pond,” shared Keith Trawick, Principal. “They work on it year round. They pull weeds, spread mulch, plant flowers and vegetables and feed the animals.”

The pond is truly unique. People from across the world come to see the pond because they don’t see this at their schools.

Each grade has responsibility for a different part of the outdoor classroom. The kindergartners are responsible for the ten raised vegetable gardens. The fifth graders help the kindergartners with their responsibilities with the gardens.

“I like the fact teachers go to the pond as much as possible and connect our lessons to the pond. We do math and science there.” says fifth grader Lily Judge

Another way students help each other is during Big Fish Day. Every month, twelve fifth graders plan activities and teach the younger grades at the pond.

In addition to Big Fish Day, a Student Pond Committee meets every other week. They clean the pond, fill up feeders, sweep walkways and feed animals. Students learn life lessons each day at the pond.

In the summer, the school hosts a farmer’s market that showcases the outdoor classroom. Vendors come a couple of Saturdays in the summer, and people come check out the pond. Last year, a high school student brought and sold his honey at the market. Profits go to the Pond. Eventually they would love the students to sell vegetables they grow.

“Our school is the only one in the county to sponsor a Farmer’s Market. The Market was a goal we reached and it has been a huge success. Anything we can do inside, we can extend to the outdoor classroom,” says Ms. Janel Ramsden, Legacy Elementary Teacher.

“In the second grade, we raised butterflies in class and set them free in the butterfly garden. It is one of my best memories at Legacy and the outdoor classroom,” says fifth grader Hunter Mason

Every year, the fifth graders have a fishing day. The Alabama Wildlife Federation comes to teach them to fish and they get their youth fishing license. It is one of the most anticipated days for fifth graders.

“We’re very proud to have Project Pond certified by Alabama Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and effort put forth by our students, teachers, and community,” says Trawick. Project Pond is the largest certified outdoor classroom in the state.

Legacy Elementary School reaches more than 700 students each year and thousands of people from the community. Administration, teachers and students take pride in their outdoor classroom and their way of learning. How can you help your school learn through unique ways?

José Antonio Garcia grew up watching his dad run his own jewelry store in Mexico City. From his dad, José learned the tricks of the trade and developed a passion for the business. Later, José had a jewelry store of his own. He also worked for the police department in Mexico. Then, because of safety reasons, he decided to move to the United States.

That was 20 years ago. José moved to Beverly Hills, California, to work with his cousin, who owned a jewelry store. After a year in California, José moved to Birmingham, Alabama, at the invitation of a friend. He lived with ten people doing construction work.

José yearned to work in the jewelry industry. He found a job at a well-known jewelry store. The owners not only gave him a job, but also helped him get a car and a place to live, and even sent him to English classes.

Finally, after working and saving for 11 years, he had enough money to start his own store, García’s Fine Jewelry. The business grew, but Jose knew he needed help to take his business to the next level. Fortunately, he knew of an organization called Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!). ¡HICA! facilitates economic integration by building family wealth and encouraging savings among Hispanic immigrants. It helps Alabama create vibrant and economically healthy communities.

José contacted ¡HICA! and learned about the Asset Building and Economic Development Program (ABED). The program offers entrepreneurs help to launch, manage, expand or improve their small businesses. It helped Jose file his taxes and manage his bank accounts.

“Seeing entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams is the best part of my job. I love to see them working for themselves and thriving,“ says Johanna Alvarez, ABED Program Director. “I am excited to see how Jose grows his business even more.”

José’s wife Dolores helped him with taxes and finances through the ABED courses. The couple even applied for and received a loan through ¡HICA!’s micro-lending program. With the loan, José was able to buy a jewelry machine. With it, he can do a six-hour-by-hand job in 15 minutes. This has helped him increase his business.

It turns out the jewelry store was just a start. Recently, José and Dolores had an opportunity to buy a local restaurant. They did and Dolores is now the manager. She also helped with the Holiday Tamales Sale, ¡HICA!’s largest fundraiser.

“I feel I am just at the beginning of a long journey. My goal is to be like the large jewelers,” says Jose. “One day, I want to win first prize in designer and jeweler competitions with my store. I have won twice while working with the other jewelry store. But it would mean so much to win first prize with my own store. I thank ¡HICA! for all the help they provided me, my family, and our two businesses. I know we can continue to grow both.”

“¡HICA! is grateful to State Farm for its support of the Asset Building and Economic Development program,“ says Isabel Rubio, ¡HICA! Executive Director. "Because of it, many Hispanic families in Alabama are on the path to financial stability and upward mobility.”

Many impressive personal achievements fill his 80 years. Yet, walking into school and meeting his first grade teacher is memory that still burns bright.

Ms. Mamie Labon Foster, a young first grade teacher, brought hope and inspiration into the life of a boy who had already experienced a lifetime’s worth of hurt and hardship. It was her hug, reassurance, and fervent belief in the power of reading and education that set him on a path of achievement.

Before stepping into Union Baptist School, Shelley had already witnessed the violent murder of his mother by his drunken father. But this is not a story about a childhood tragedy; rather, it is testament to the power of a teacher in the life of a child.

Ms. Foster faced many challenges educating students in the segregated, poverty-stricken Rosedale neighborhood of Birmingham, AL during the early 1940s. Most students entering her class did not have literate parents or access to books in their homes. Her presence in Shelley’s life provided a sense of stability away from the chaos surrounding him.

Her encouragements that first day of school might have been a small part of Ms. Foster’s day, but to six-year-old Shelley, they became a mantra. He began to believe in himself, just as Ms. Foster did. He bounced around Birmingham, living with different family members and changing schools often, but education was always his priority.

Shelley did see his beloved Ms. Foster again…the day of his high school graduation. He did not expect the cheers the others received when their names were called. But to Shelley's delight, Ms. Foster stood up and said, “That’s my boy!” For the second time, she was the one there for him at just the right moment.

Shelley Stewart went on to be a Civil Rights activist, radio personality, advertising executive, community leader, and philanthropist. And thanks to Ms. Foster, he remained a student and avid reader. Always an advocate for education, he now spends his time supporting teachers and students with The Mattie C Stewart Foundation and their innovative dropout prevention programs.

Shelley had many reasons to drop out of school and fall victim to the influences of his neighborhood and family, but he did not. Ms. Foster showed him education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, abuse and crime.

The story of Dr. Stewart and Ms. Foster, is not specific to a time and place. In classrooms across the nation, it plays out daily. Teachers continue make dramatic differences for students facing challenges each and every day.

Did you have a Ms. Foster in your life? If so, please join The Mattie C Stewart Foundation and State Farm and #ThankATeacher.

The Mattie C Stewart Foundation is named after Shelley’s late mother. It is dedicated to keeping students in school and reducing the national dropout rate. Dr. Stewart saw too many community members ending up in dire circumstances, including prison. Studies have found approximately 75% of the inmate population is high school dropouts. The Foundation, using school-based programs like The Choice Bus, Inside Out documentary and Learn2Earn has served 2,028,664 students since its founding in 2007.

During the first part of the 25-minute experience, students watch videos and discuss the impact of education. They see how their school choices affect their earning potential over their lifetimes. Then the students see the second half of the bus. It is a full-size replica of a jail cell, providing a brief experience of incarcerated life. The message is powerful and simple: a good education can lead to a lifetime of opportunities. Each student has the ability to make choices that will lead to positive or negative outcomes.

In 2015, State Farm provided 33 weeks of touring support to take The Choice Bus experience to schools in 11 states. In total, the programs will influence 40,000 students in one calendar year, at no cost to the schools.

To learn more about the Choice Bus or request a school visit, visit their website at http://www.mattiecstewart.org/​.