A World War II veteran from Sioux City, Iowa, William had just turned 19 when he entered the United States Army. He served as a private in the Fourth Infantry Division, landing in Normandy 10 days after D-Day and remaining there throughout his time of service.

Upon returning to the U.S., William began his adult life by completing college and getting a job as an insurance investigator. He even bought a car. There was only one problem — he didn’t know how to drive it.

After seeing a sign for State Farm, William decided to stop by the local agent’s office. He strolled into Agent Larry Holland’s office and inquired about auto insurance. In the course of their conversation, William also mentioned that he needed to learn how to drive.

“Larry told me right there that he would get off work in a few hours and could teach me to drive that very afternoon. I’ll never forget that,” says William. “Especially after coming back from the war, it really meant a lot.”

William hadn’t been raised by his father, and he ended up relying on Larry in many ways.

“He was a really fatherly guy. We always sat and visited and talked about everything. He was about my dad’s age. I just felt very comfortable with him,” says William.

Over the next 73 years, William and his wife, Doris, purchased life, home and multiple auto insurance policies with State Farm. William insured several rental properties with the company as well. The couple now lives in Athens, Ill. Their current State Farm agent is Jenifer Sellers.

“William is by far one of the most interesting customers I have ever worked with. He continues to be an incredible advocate for State Farm,” says Jenifer. “His story is a shining example of how agents can impact customers. This is why the State Farm model works.”

State Farm, which was founded in 1922, has been with the Schimm family through every season, literally and figuratively. From rental property chaos and Iowa hail storms to the raising of four children and the birth of five grandchildren, William and Doris have had State Farm at their side.

Why has William stayed with State Farm for so many years?

“The service. Now I’m not just saying this; it’s actually what has happened—I’ve never had a problem with State Farm,” says William. “Anytime I wanted something or something happened, State Farm was there taking care of me.”

The cities of Athens and Atlanta have a noticeable homelessness issue, and Zack knew he needed to do something about it. As a result, The Backpack Project was born, and quickly morphed from a weekend project to fill and distribute 20 backpacks to a nonprofit that has distributed 3,200 backpacks to the homeless since 2015.

Nick Futrell, executive director of The Backpack Project, was recruited to the nonprofit by Zack his freshman year.

“In high school, I did work with Blessings in a Backpack that helped feed children. That laid the groundwork for me giving back to the community and engaging in a philanthropic way,” Nick says. “Moving to college, I knew I wanted to get involved in the community, but homelessness wasn’t something I knew a lot about. When I moved to Athens, I noticed it was a huge problem, and I couldn’t sit idly by.”

The nonprofit doesn’t just fill backpacks and distribute them. The volunteers take time to talk with their clients, the homeless. In fact, creating relationships is part of The Backpack Project’s values. Those involved have found that a “simple 10-minute conversation can dispel a lifetime of assumptions about homelessness and the people who experience it,” according to their website.

Filled with food, toiletries and clothing, the backpacks are hand distributed throughout Athens and Atlanta and, thanks to a State Farm Neighborhood Assist^® grant, Augusta, Ga. The $25,000 grant allowed The Backpack Project to expand, as well as accelerate the nonprofit’s timeline for manufacturing its own backpacks.

“We were able to begin manufacturing our own backpacks for our clients. That manufacturing costs a lot of money, and that grant laid the groundwork for it,” says Nick.

Nick says manufacturing backpacks allows them to specifically design them to help the homeless as much as possible. The backpacks have added cushioning to allow clients to use it as a seat or pillow, reinforced straps to ensure longevity and waterproof material.

Nick says the nonprofit aims to distribute 3,000 backpacks in the 2018-2019 school year. Combined with the amount the program has distributed in its first three years, this upcoming year will almost double their distribution rates.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the Neighborhood Assist grant,” Nick says.

For more information, visit www.NeighborhoodAssist.com.