It was progressive for the times but from a 2022 mindset, the doors of diversity could have opened much sooner. After 44 years, State Farm the country’s biggest insurer, would finally have an African American agent in their ranks.

Sherry Ann Devouse-Dennard

Nearly 50 years after Ray Adkins knocked on his first door in Chicago’s south side to sell insurance, Sherry Ann Devouse-Dennard was opening her doors in a south suburb of Atlanta.

“I never saw (being a person of color) as a challenge, but instead a chance to really capitalize on what I saw was the greatest opportunity. I got in front of influential people, involved in local events, and tried to make the biggest splash in a small community I could make. It saddens me we still live in a society where skin color is more important than a person’s character to some people,” shared Devouse-Dennard. “But I have had more wonderful experiences with customers than bad, by far.”

Devouse-Dennard is part of the more than 1,500 African-American, State Farm agents across the country. She joined State Farm because she wanted to be a part of something special that would allow her to not only build a legacy for her family, but also have a meaningful impact in her community.

Alyssa Holloway

Alyssa Holloway, just outside of Birmingham, Ala., became an agent for similar reasons. “Becoming an agent has given me the opportunity to educate our customers, team members – or whomever I encounter – to not give up and continue to run the race and go after their dreams.”

Holloway also loves to give back to her community each year by providing hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies so children have all the essentials for a successful school year. She and her team also give back to the Downtown Birmingham area by bringing food, clothes and warmers during cold winter months to those in need.

Holloway also donates to and sponsors a Breast Cancer Awareness event annually and has made it a tradition at her agency. “African American women have a 31% breast cancer mortality rate, being the highest of any U.S. racial or ethnic group,” shared Holloway. She said she feels it is her duty and assignment to provide in all ways possible to her local community.

Dwan Johnson-Bell

Chicago Agent Dwan Johnson-Bell echoes the opportunities to educate as a community leader. “I grew up without a lot of means and wondered how I could change the plight of my own family and others around me. I always felt that it was my purpose to educate my community.

“When I was introduced to State Farm, I felt it was the perfect platform to educate.”

When others wonder about becoming a State Farm agent, Dwan says, “Go for it! Agency has truly changed the trajectory of my life. It has allowed me to gainfully employ others and to give back to my family and my community in a way that I had not been able to do before.”

“Black History Month is a celebration of achievements by Black Americans like our amazing, agents Dwan, Alyssa and Sherry, and it’s a time to recognize African Americans’ central role in U.S. history,” said State Farm Chief Diversity Officer, Victor Terry.” We know there is still much to be done and more doors to be opened as we continue to work together to build a better future. Coming together to celebrate both our 100th anniversary and our future is where we’ll see real progress.”

That’s exactly what Christopher Schafer provides to men every Wednesday.

Christopher makes custom suits for a living in Baltimore. His passion for clothing, and the need to find an organization to donate unwanted suits, pushed him to create Sharp Dressed Man.

“I was bringing new suits to a client who had a couple bags of old clothes he didn’t want to wear because he told me I spoiled him with new custom suits. It was quite a compliment, but it came with trying to find a home for these clothes,” Christopher says.

Christopher discovered many organizations provided everything for men who were in need of a job – resume building, practice interviews and setting interview appointments – but they didn’t have the clothing to make the right first impression, so he created his own nonprofit.

“At Sharp Dressed Man, we focus on the finishing touch. Other organizations are bringing us guys going through a transformation, and we’re there to send them out the door to their interviews,” he says.

Sharp Dressed Man has suited more than 8,000 men, and is on track to dress 2,000 men this year. The men come to Sharp Dressed Man with a referral from a partnering organization. Every Wednesday at noon, Christopher sees a line of men stretching down the street. And all of them are waiting for a suit.

“We bring the guys back one at a time, working one-on-one with a stylist who measures them, sizes them and finds options. I want them to try the suits on for fit.

“If the clothes fit, we’ll give them all kinds of stuff, but they have to have clothes they want to wear and feel confident in.”

Sharp Dressed Man received a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist^® Grant in 2018 to help impact more lives in their community. Part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good^® initiative, State Farm Neighborhood Assist is back for its eighth year in 2019. The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood education, safety and community development projects.

The grant helped keep Sharp Dressed Man open.

“The grant covered our overhead costs – paying the rent and electric bill – and we got a new spot. It’s really hard to focus on trying to help people when you’re worried about paying the bills,” Christopher says. “Now, we can work on planning for the future.”

With more submissions and more grants, State Farm Neighborhood Assist^® is going bigger on building stronger neighborhoods together in 2022. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of State Farm^®, we’re awarding 100 $25,000 grants (vs. 40 grants in previous years) to causes making a difference in their communities. We are also doubling the number of submissions to 4,000. Submissions open on Feb. 16 at 1pm ET!

Crushed, you toss the plans in the fireplace. But someone believes in you and rescues the dream from the ash heap, literally and figuratively.

Can you relate? In 1922, a small-town farmer found himself in this very situation.

It started with the seed of an idea

The small town farmer was G.J. Mecherle, from Merna, Illinois. He believed farmers were charged too much for insurance premiums and had a plan to level the field. After his wife saved his plans from the fireplace, G.J. disrupted the insurance industry in a major way. He followed his dream and started his own company – State Farm^®.

Today, State Farm is the industry leader with a century of experience, financial strength and agents all across the U.S. That one seed grew into a Fortune 50 company with more than 19,000 agents helping communities, consumers and small businesses realize their dreams.

State Farm agents understand small business because they are small business

As small business owners in so many communities, State Farm agents know the passion needed to start your own business. And the grit and dedication needed to make it successful. They help business owners go after and protect their dreams. They provide not only insurance products and help planning for financial security, but in many cases help spark community engagement.

“As a small business owner myself, I can relate to their issues. I explain we’re more alike than different,” shares veteran State Farm Agent Buster Nelson, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. “We have similar challenges and rewards. It’s scary when you decide to go after your dream, when you first start out. I know a little guidance or help can go a long way.”

Going after your doughnut dreams

Agent Buster Nelson celebrated National Doughnut Day by giving away doughnuts from a local bakery (a State Farm customer). Not just any doughnuts, but the crème de la crème limited edition red velvet doughnuts made especially for Buster and the lucky doughnut recipients!

“A bakery, and its owner, have been insured through my office since it opened 30 years ago,” Nelson said. “So we worked together on a mutually beneficial event.”

“On my Facebook page, I invited customers to come by the bakery to pick up a free red velvet doughnut,” he said. “State Farm red…get it😊?”

“When my team and I set up a table outside at 7 a.m., people were already lined up to go into the shop. We passed out doughnuts along with State Farm branded items and got more customers in the bakery doors for more sweets. Win, win, win.”

“Every few months, I buy gourmet popcorn from a local small business I insure. Then I stop by other businesses I work with and give them a bag of popcorn with a note that reads, ‘Just popping in to say hello.’ It’s a social call more than a business call, but again, it helps everyone out and lets them know I’m there for them when they need me.”

“Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there^®” is more than a slogan; it is who we are. You’ll see us supporting and attending local youth sports games, mentoring other entrepreneurs, sponsoring community events and more.

Restoring lives, rebuilding neighborhoods, renewing hope, investing in communities, advocating for consumer safety, and supporting education where we live and work is what being a 100-year good neighbor is all about.

"From doughnut shops to beverage distributors, from hair salons to warehouses, State Farm agents are perfectly suited to help small business owners protect their dreams, their livelihoods and their families,” said Chief Agency, Sales & Marketing Officer and former State Farm Agent Rand Harbert.

“Our founder would be proud of how his dream continues to unfold,” Harbert continued. “Today, we remain as committed to making life better for people as we were in 1922. This includes the millions of small business owners across the United States. We’ll keep finding new ways to honor that commitment and serve more customers as we begin our next 100 years.”

Small businesses thrive when they are supported by the community

Share this story and tag a small business you support to encourage others to check them out. #ShopLocal

“Doesn’t matter if it’s after a fire or a flood or whatever; when I’m talking to somebody, it’s usually because they’re having a pretty bad day,” said Jeff, State Farm^® claims adjuster.

“Pretty bad” turned out to be an understatement during a call last year. Jeff was in the middle of a virtual inspection. A customer’s roof leaked which caused some pretty significant damage to their West Virginia home. Using an app downloaded to the customer’s smart phone, Jeff was looking at pictures of the damaged area.

“We’re doing more and more of these types of inspections,” Jeff said. “It makes it easier for the customers to send in their info so we can process their claim, get them their money and help them recover quicker.”

Jeff was in the middle of the inspection when all of a sudden, he heard a loud crash. The customer had fallen down a flight of stairs, shattering her ankle.

“She’d dropped her phone and couldn’t reach it, but I could hear her yelling and screaming for help.”

Unfortunately, the only help available was Jeff, and he was hundreds of miles away at the other side of the state. “I didn’t really know what to do, but I knew I had to do something.”

“I kept yelling until I finally got her attention,” Jeff said. “I was trying to keep her calm and trying to keep her conscious.”

She couldn’t reach the phone to dial 911, so Jeff grabbed another phone and dialed for help.

After he got them on the line, Jeff acted as a go-between.

“They were asking things like ‘How far did she fall’ and ‘Can she move’ and ‘Is there any blood?” I kept relaying their questions and giving them her answers.”

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics picked up the phone that was lying next to the customer on the ground, expecting to hear 911 on the other end.

“I told them, “No, I’m with State Farm; I’m her insurance adjustor.”

The customer was rushed to the hospital and once she arrived, one of the first things she did was write Jeff a heart-felt thank-you note:

Thank you so much for your help with calling 911 and staying on the phone. I dislocated my ankle and shattered many bones, I will need surgery. You were my angel 😇😇. You deserve an award for listening to me scream and crying.

“What an incredible Good Neighbor story this is,” said Jeff’s manager, Bill Lingenfelter. “We’re in the relationship and helping others-business, and this is what it’s all about!”

Congrats to Patrick and Aaron!

And although they didn’t win, a huge congratulations to Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City. And an equally huge contratulations to Aaron Rodgers on earning his third MVP award, one of three players to be recognized more than twice with the pro football honor.

Consumers can view other current commercials and will continue to hear from State Farm^® in a fresh, updated voice on the company's Commercials YouTube Channel.

There will also be a behind-the-scenes look at our commercial during the 20^th anniversary of CBS’ “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” TV special, so tune in Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. ET.

Jake from State Farm is still working hard for #TeamStateFarm. Check out the new videos and stay tuned for more fun to come.

Consumers will continue to hear from State Farm^® in a fresh, updated voice and new direction. View other current commercials below or to see all, visit our Commercials YouTube Channel.

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Chris Paul is used to destruction when he’s in a State Farm^® commercial, but in these new NBA campaigns he learns things are not always as they seem.

Enjoy the new commercials, which debut during the NBA games today, Dec. 22, which include the Warriors vs. Nets and Clippers vs. Lakers, both on TNT. Watch for State Farm as a presenting sponsor of the ESPN/ABC NBA on Christmas Day coverage. And, to end on a good neighbor note, for every assist on the court this regular season, State Farm and the NBA will donate $5 toward community assists off the court as part of the NBA Cares State Farm Assist Tracker Program.

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After this year, we can all use a silver lining. Odds are you, or someone you know, have adopted a new pet this year.

2020 has been a record high for adoptions. It’s also been a record low for surrendered and abandoned dogs. All in all, a bang up year for man’s best friend.

Demand was so high for dog and cat companionship, many shelters at one point had waiting lists! But it wasn't alwasy so.

To Me, You Are Perfect

A white and tan pit bull, Dash was one of the longest residents of the Maricopa County Shelter in Arizona. Older pit bulls are often shelter veterans, as many adopters are looking for small dogs and puppies.

Molly Romine, a State Farm® HR employee and shelter volunteer, knew Dash would be a great addition to someone’s home. Molly and other volunteers organized the 12 Dogs of Christmas adoption push which included Dash in Dec. 2018.

The shelter’s 12 longest-term residents were all pit bulls ranging in age from two to 10. The team spruced up their kennels with eye-catching decor, gave the pups holiday make-overs, and shared social media posts to gain attention. The shelter also offered stockings full of donated leashes, collars, and free training sessions.

“I worked a couple of hours a night to get these dogs a home for the holidays,” shared Molly. “It was a lot of hard work but it was worth it to see Dash and all the other dogs adopted just before New Year’s Eve!”

Helping local shelters during Covid

Volunteering has been difficult during Covid due to social distancing and other safety measures. But there are other ways to give back. Owner surrendered and abandoned pet numbers are starting to creep back up. There are plenty of pets available for adoption at your local shelter.

“If you’re not sure adoption is for you, consider fostering! It’s a short term commitment with long term impacts,” Molly recommended. “If you foster a pet, you are giving that animal a much needed respite from the stressful shelter environment. You can also provide the shelter with helpful intel. Maybe the dog is great with kids but scared of car rides. This can really help match the pup with the right family.”

Is your home feeling a bit empty due to covid? Reach out to your local shelter to see if you can fill it with dogs or cats for a long “howliday” weekend of fostering and cuddles.

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State Farm® is giving 40 communities in 22 states an assist to fund neighborhood improvement projects. In just 10 days this fall, 145,000 people cast 3.9 million votes in support of their favorite causes. State Farm is proud to announce the Top 40 vote-getting causes. Each has won a $25,000 grant to benefit their communities.

State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowd-sourced philanthropic grant program. It empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. Non-profits affiliated with each of the top 40 causes receive grants to address them.

“State Farm is proud to support the good neighbors who will be implementing the winning projects in their communities,” said Annette Martinez, Senior Vice President at State Farm. “We look forward to seeing the impact of these grants.”

Two thousand cause submissions were accepted in July at www.neighborhoodassist.com. The State Farm Review Committee selected the top 200 finalists and public voting determined the 40 grant winners. In the nine years of the program, more than 340 causes have received a total of $9 million to enact change in their communities.

For a complete list of this year’s winning causes, please visit: www.neighborhoodassist.com.

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Janice Gray used funds from the Good Neighbor Community Fund to support the National Civil Rights Museum in her community of Memphis, Tennessee.

Peacock, NBC's streaming service, is highlighting her support as part of its Black Voices library of content. In a video Janice shares her views on the importance of the museum and expresses the State Farm commitment to making a difference.

Earlier this year, State Farm empowered agents to address the greatest needs in their community through the Good Neighbor Community Fund.

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After a harrowing encounter with a deer in southeastern Pennsylvania this fall, Chrissi Rhodes Villa has a simple message for you.

“Please be careful on the roads and watch for deer,” she said.

In an instant, a deer bounded into the road and collided with their car, one of nearly 2 million crashes with animals every year.

“We weren’t going fast,” Rhodes Villa said. “It just happened so fast.”

It’s not an unusual occurrence, especially in October, November and December. U.S. drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal, according to the State Farm^® annual study. There were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Pennsylvania ranks third in the country with drivers having a 1-in-51 chance of an animal collision. West Virginia (1-in-37) again tops the list, followed by Montana (1-in-47). South Dakota and Michigan round out the top five, followed by Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Minnesota and Wyoming.

The large majority of animal collisions are with deer. For the year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 there were estimated to be 1.5 million deer claims industry-wide.

“Claims after collisions with an animal range from small dents to totaled vehicles and injured drivers and passengers,” says Michael Braaten, director, Enterprise Research. “By sharing ways to help drivers be aware of the increased dangers this time of year – including inclement weather, shorter periods of daylight and students driving home after evening activities – State Farm hopes to help decrease the number of collisions and injuries.”

Hawaii (1-in-649), Nevada (1-in-551) and California (1-in-427) are the states where drivers have the least chance of an animal collision.

How Can You Avoid Deer in Your Headlights?

Growing deer and other animal populations combined with the displacement of animal habitats are making animal crashes more likely. There’s no real way to keep large animals like deer, moose, and elk off the road, but these safety tips can help you prevent animal-car collisions.

• Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and other signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water.

• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.

• Don't swerve. If an animal-car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.

• Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard.

• Remember peak season. Deer crashes happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season. Collisions are most likely to happen in West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

• Remember meal time. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.

• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.

• Don't rely on a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work.

• Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.

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When the ground starts to shake, what do you do? If it involves a doorway, a triangle, or running - these are not earthquake-safe actions. Learn about Drop, Cover, and Hold On, practice updated earthquake safety actions and how to survive and recover from the next damaging earthquake.

The Great ShakeOut drill will be at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15. Make sure to REGISTER and Get Ready to ShakeOut!

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees.

• This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs

HOLD ON until shaking stops.

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

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A new career brings many emotions: excitement, anticipation, hope, and for some, anxiety. A world of possibilities awaits, but how does an employee navigate their journey successfully? For State Farm Technology Executive DeWayne Griffin, the answer lies in two words: professional development.

“My State Farm journey began with an internship in 2000 before starting full-time in 2001. I was young, wide-eyed and determined. I let my leadership aspirations be known, which led to my involvement in the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF),” said DeWayne. “To this day, I attribute much of my success to this incredible organization.”

Formed in 1996, ITSMF increases the representation of black professionals at senior levels in technology to impact organizational innovation and growth. State Farm has a long history with ITSMF, with a goal to reach, teach and cultivate aspiring technology professionals.

“ITSMF began with a conversation between tech execs who found only 3 percent of information technology management roles were being held by black professionals,” DeWayne explained. “The moment I walked into my first ITSMF Management Academy meeting, I was shocked. For the first time in my life, the room was filled with technology professionals who looked like me.”

Over the span of a decade, 24 State Farm leaders have graduated from ITSMF leadership academies. From 2019-2020, 80 State Farm IT professionals embraced the opportunity to take onsite ITSMF classes at State Farm corporate facilities.

“When the company learned about this organization, it recognized the need to increase representation of black professionals at all levels in IT and got involved,” said State Farm Technology Director Collette Fung. “For me, ITSMF was an exhale moment. I saw people at levels I wanted to be and it affirmed I can get there too.”

A member of ITSMF, Collette is also a founding member of the ITSMF EMERGE Academy. The competitive development experience specifically designed for women of color supports the progression of authentic, knowledgeable and conscious technology leaders. In 2020, Yolanda Brumfield and Sharon C Johnson Lake of State Farm graduated from the EMERGE Academy. Additionally, State Farm employees Kentrica Coleman and Jhay Davis are 2020 ITSMF Management Academy graduates - a rigorous program designed to sharpen IT leadership skills and competencies.

The Journey Continues:

In July 2020, State Farm received national recognition when it was named ITSMF Partner of the Year for its ongoing commitment to support employee professional development. Retired State Farm Executive Duane Farrington received the Digital Innovator Award for championing creative tech solutions. And, out of an esteemed group of 200 candidates, DeWayne Griffin was named ITSMF Member of the Year, a coveted award honoring his steadfast mentorship, advocacy and leadership.

“I’m humbled by this honor,” said DeWayne. “But my story doesn’t stop here. Because of ITSMF relationships, educational programs and symposiums, I’m continuing to grow as a leader. At State Farm I’m applying the strategies I learn to invest in our technology, help our customers and prepare for what’s to come.”

“I’m thankful to work for an organization that supports professional development opportunities,” added Collette. “When State Farm invests in me, I’m better for them. On this adventure called life, remember you’re in control of your development. Reach out, let your goals be known, work hard for what you want and lift others up. Your dreams will be realized.”

To learn more about State Farm or its IT career opportunities, visit: https://www.statefarm.com/careers

Hear From the Graduates:

“Through EMERGE I have been equipped with the tools I needed to be bold and take more chances, strategize to win and take my seat at the table, use my voice to invoke change and influence, and pay it forward. The journey over the last year has laid the foundation for me to be comfortable leaning into my energy, that safe space where I can experience life, and choose what defines me and embrace each moment. I’ve learned that I am worthy of the life I am wishing for.”

– Sharon C Johnson Lake, State Farm ITSMF EMERGE Academy graduate

“My experience with the ITSMF Management academy has been transformative. As I reflect over the past year, I have learned more about myself, my leadership style and my strengths. I will continue to leverage the techniques I learned to provide greater impact to the organization and the teams I lead.”

– Kentrica Coleman, State Farm ITSMF Management Academy graduate

“Through EMERGE, I experienced a shift enabling the most growth in my area of strengths! As a transformational leader, I’ve learned to embrace the power of vulnerability and how to effectively manage my energy so I’m able to give my best.”

– Yolanda Brumfield, State Farm ITSMF EMERGE Academy graduate

“The opportunity to learn alongside professionals from other Fortune 50 companies provided a valuable and expanded perspective into being a leader. Providing a developmental experience that not only focused on academics but also an enhanced sense of self opened the door to helping me become a more balanced leader.”

– Jhay Davis, State Farm ITSMF Management Academy graduate

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Raising a puppy isn’t easy. They may be cute, but they require lots of attention and are a big responsibility. Imagine putting in the love and commitment to raising a puppy only to give it up 18 months later. State Farm employees Robin and Tony Bird are doing just that…and they couldn’t be happier.

For thousands of people with disabilities, a service dog allows them to live life independently. State Farm is excited to sponsor a service dog through Canine Companions for Independence. The non-profit organization provides professionally trained assistance dogs at no charge. Service animals are highly trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Since 1975, Canine Companions has placed over 6,600 service dogs.

“We’re very happy about our partnership with State Farm and believe it is the perfect opportunity to engage employees around a positive, ‘good neighbor’ cause that can make a transformational difference in the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities,” said Bryan Harding from Canine Companions.

The sponsorship is also providing a unique volunteer opportunity for Robin and Tony. They volunteered and were selected to raise the Canine Companions puppy, sponsored by State Farm.

“We had been looking for some ways to give back, and animal charities are one place where we often gravitate,” said Robin. “With 34 combined years with State Farm, Tony and I are aware of the many ways State Farm gives back. This is such a unique way to give back to the community in a personal and highly impactful way. We couldn't be happier to be selected as puppy raisers.”

A Good Boy

State Farm employees were presented with the chance to name the puppy and while “Jake” may have seemed like a logical name, the puppy wasn’t born in a “J” litter. To help track the hundreds of puppies born into the program, each litter is assigned a letter of the alphabet. The State Farm puppy was born in the “T” litter so the name needed to be short and begin with the same letter.

Tex. Tip. Toast. All are fun and cute names, but this puppy was going to grow up to do good things. It needed a good name because it was part of the Good Neighbor family.

Meet Tavi.

In Hebrew, tavi means “good” and it couldn’t be a better name for him. Tavi is a male Labrador retriever/golden retriever cross and since he is yellow, he is already wearing khakis! Born on Aug. 17, Tavi will leave the nest and meet the Birds in mid-October 2020.

In his first 18 months, the Birds will help Tavi learn basic obedience, social skills and manners. After that, he will move on to professional training with Canine Companions staff where he will learn advanced commands like turning on and off lights and picking up dropped items.

Giving a Dog a Job

It is expensive to breed, raise and train each Canine Companions assistance dog. Volunteers and donations are necessary in order to continue providing assistance dogs at no cost to recipients.

Each year, Canine Companions for Independence hosts DogFest. The dog-friendly event celebrates the human-animal bond and raises money for a great cause. Like most events this year, DogFest has gone virtual. While there will be less fur, the fun won’t stop!

Join other pet lovers for DogFest Texas on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11:00 a.m to noon, CDT and help give a dog a job. There are a variety of ways to participate:

• Register and fundraise to support a great cause. Registration is FREE. All funds go toward training assistance dogs for people in need. You can even form a team to help Canine Companions raise funds!
• Participate in fun activities on the DogFest Texas Facebook event page. You can even share how your dog brings you joy with this downloadable sign.
• Make a donation! Your generous support helps give the gift of freedom to people with disabilities. All donations made to Canine Companions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

For 24 years, the Winter Haven, Florida, State Farm agent has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels of Polk County, delivering nutritious, made-from-scratch meals to the elderly and those in need, and serving on its board of directors. But as Dan points out, there’s so much more to it.

“Almost all of these people are living alone,” said Dan. “It’s an opportunity not only to deliver a meal, but to do a wellness check to make sure that they look and sound OK.”

On a typical 18-meal delivery route, Dan offers to assist his recipients in many ways, from bringing in the mail to picking up something at the store.

“Many of these people simply appreciate the joy of a 10 minute visit,” Dan remarked. “It always helps me center back to what’s important in life.”

For recipients like Harvey Curtis, volunteers like Dan make a huge difference.

“Receiving Meals on Wheels helps me to live in my home. I am not able to shop for groceries or stand in the kitchen to prepare my meals,” said Harvey. “The volunteers are so friendly and some days, they are the only people I see and talk to.”

Unsurprisingly, the demand for Meals on Wheels services has increased markedly since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“It’s been a crazy time. Our meal count has gone from 300 to 450 a day,” said Dan. “And we make sure to follow all of the safety guidelines to ensure our recipients stay healthy.”

“Dan is a lifesaver for us,” said Susan Eldridge, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Polk County. “He’s very passionate about helping the people we serve.”

And Dan has made sure to pass on the importance of giving back to the next generation.

“My kids have grown up volunteering with me,” he said. “I would tell anyone interested in community service that you can truly make a difference and you always get back so much more than what you put in.”

In the News:

• Four Corners News-Sun: Meals on Wheels volunteer, recipients reflect on program's importance (08/27/20)

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Long after the news cycle moves on from one West Coast wildfire to the next, from one land-falling tropical system to the next, State Farm^® crews and resources remain in those neighborhoods to help people recover from the unexpected.

Early in a disaster, waves of support come in the form of needed supplies and manpower. But after those first waves subside, the need remains.

To assist, State Farm has issued $250,000 in grants to on-the-ground nonprofits across California, Oregon and Washington.

State Farm actively supports charitable programs and volunteerism in communities across the country every day. But the company also sets aside special funding each year to respond to natural disasters and other crises. These extra funds supplement the support of agents and Claims teams in these communities. They help meet ongoing human services needs (food and shelter) and future prevention projects.

And the good neighbor spirit of agents further extends the reach of the company’s on-the-ground charitable arm.

Wildfires today are extremely different and more dangerous than they were in the past. Wildfires are burning closer to homes, businesses and populated communities compared to previously being events that happen only in forests.

“Today, more families and business owners are being displaced when a wildfire occurs because of evacuation orders and loss of residences and businesses,” Senior Vice President Annette Martinez said. “This leads to an immediate need for shelter, food, evacuation help and medical assistance. These grants will support those recovery efforts.”

“The West Coast recovery effort will be an enormous task,” Director of Corporate Responsibility Ed Woods said. “The organizations receiving grant support through this relief package are some of the first organizations to respond to the devastation and will continue to provide assistance during the recovery phase.”

In addition to the wildfires on the West Coast, State Farm has provided disaster response grants for the Iowa derecho, Hurricane Laura and Nashville tornadoes.

Louisiana agent spearheads Hurricane Laura donation drive

Laura bore down on Lake Charles, La., last month as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, the strongest to strike the state since 1856. In the aftermath, shattered structures, crumpled cars and dangling power lines bore witness to the strength of the storm.

Blake Wheelis is an agent in West Monroe, La., about 200 miles north of Lake Charles. He saw his state smacked yet again by a monstrous storm, only 15 years after Hurricane Katrina.

“Monroe was heavily impacted but nothing like the devastation in Lake Charles,” he said. “My heart hurt for them, so I mobilized efforts to help.”

Blake sent a note to fellow agents telling them about the devastation in his home state. He also created a way anyone can donate to help residents through United Way.

As of Sept. 23, more than $40,000 in donations have poured in.

“State Farm agents are doing what they always do — helping others when they need help,” Blake added. “The bond among us is unique.”

All donations will be used to help feed Lake Charles residents and assist with recovery.

“When all is said and done, none of us will be remembered for how we enjoyed times of prosperity, but we will be remembered for how we responded during times of adversity,” Blake said.

From Sept. 23 through Oct. 2, U.S. residents, 18 and older with a valid email address, can vote for their favorite cause(s) at www.neighborhoodassist.com. Each of the top 40 vote-getters receives a $25,000 grant.

State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowd-sourced philanthropic program. It empowers communities to identify issues and submit them for grant consideration. From 2,000 submissions, the State Farm Review Committee selected the top 200 finalists. They represent 36 states.

The top 200 causes have until Oct. 2 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time to rally votes. Voters may cast up to 10 votes per day - using them all on one cause, or spreading them out in any way among multiple causes.

On Nov. 4, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced at www.neighborhoodassist.com. 

“During these challenging times, State Farm is pleased to offer grant opportunities through Neighborhood Assist,” said Annette Martinez, State Farm Senior Vice President. “It’s part of our commitment to helping build safer, stronger and better educated communities.”

For a complete list of the top 200 causes or to vote for a cause, go to www.neighborhoodassist.com.

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Spider-man swings from building to building. Captain Marvel flies throughout the universe. Thor takes out his enemies with his hammer. Iron Man continues to innovate his weapons. And State Farm^® supports through sponsorships.

Marvel New Media just launched Storyboards – a six-episode interview series with famous storytellers. Marvel artist, writer and former editor in chief, Joe Quesada, talks with storytellers about their personal “origin” stories and what drives their storytelling passion.

State Farm is sponsoring the first two seasons of the series. It leads off with Hugh Jackman, known for his 17-year portrayal of Wolverine in the X-Men series. The 10-15 minute interviews will be released on Thursdays for viewing on Marvel’s social media channels – YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Acts of generosity often have a lasting impact. Sometimes they come full circle, so recipients of help are later givers. At age 13, Jennie Dibala, her mom and two siblings moved into a Habitat for Humanity home in Michigan. It was a tremendous boost for the family. Years later, after recently becoming a State Farm^® agent in Corpus Christi, Texas, Jennie was able to give back to a Habitat project in her community. Here is her story.

Habitat for Humanity’s Home is the Key campaign reminds us of the importance of home in uncertain times.

For 98 years, State Farm has been a good neighbor and corporate citizen through our philanthropic and volunteer efforts. As a result of our work with Habitat for Humanity for over 25 years, we also help build safer and stronger communities. During the past two decades, State Farm gifted more than $21.2 million to Habitat for Humanity. This doesn’t include the countless volunteer hours and matching gifts from employees and agents.

This year, State Farm went even further as a corporate sponsor of Habitat’s Home is the Key campaign. The April 2020 campaign generated local and national awareness about the critical need for affordable housing in this country.

“At Habitat for Humanity, we know that having a safe and decent place to call home can make all the difference in times of crisis,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “As many of us shelter in our homes during this pandemic, our hearts are with those who don’t have a decent or safe place to live.”

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Living independently—while remaining connected to family and friends—is easier than ever for older adults with the help of Sundial™. The new mobile application and Alexa skill connects them with loved ones in their Care Circle. It helps coordinate and communicate activities like reminders and to-do lists and provides a line of communication for check-ins with a personal connection.

How It Works

The Sundial skill for Alexa and the mobile app work together to connect older adults (the Center) to their loved ones (Care Circle). The Center uses the voice and touch enabled Sundial skill for Alexa (optimized for the Amazon Echo Show) to interact with their private Care Circle of family and friends. Once invited, Care Circle members can download the Sundial mobile apps to interact with the Center and each other. When the skill is enabled and the mobile apps are connected, the Center simply says “Alexa, open Sundial” to enjoy the Sundial features.

With Sundial you can:

• Quickly check-in and communicate
• Access the interactive dashboard with voice commands for a scrolling list of daily activities
• Coordinate tasks among Care Circle members
• Send photo memories with personalized captions from the mobile app directly to the older adult’s Echo Show

This service and skill are not replacements for home healthcare or emergency services. Sundial is a subscription-based product. Details regarding services and price are available on the Sundial website: www.sundial-labs.com.

Connect on a Personal Level:

“We were eager to try the product,” said Curtis Simpson, a State Farm technology manager and participant in the pilot program. Simpson’s mother lives in Florida and he formed a Care Circle with her and his brothers from Illinois using Sundial.

“My mom being far away and living on her own concerned us. With the app and skill, we now have frequent daily check-ins. We love it, she loves it. It allows us to connect without feeling intrusive.”

Christen Zook and Tara Hayman are also State Farm employees who participated in product testing.

“My dad lives in Michigan. He is very independent and sharp,” Zook said. “But he’s not an app person or mobile-oriented. Sundial’s simplicity helps.”

For Hayman, Sundial helps to provide reassurance and helps bring the family closer to her mother in Maryland. “I like that our family can check in together. We share photos and information at the same time,” Hayman said.

"Sundial grew from a passion to be a positive part of the lives of our older adults,” says Mike Fields, Vice-President of Sundial Labs. “We want to help foster closer, caring relationships with loved ones creating a daily connection, no matter the distance. It is an important part of Sundial’s mission to provide digital tools and solutions for older adults and their care circles that can reduce time and worry managing daily life while increase confidence through a personal virtual touch.”

The Need for Innovation:

Over the next decade, the U.S. will see an important demographic shift. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. According to the US Census Bureau, this means that 1 in 5 residents will be retirement age. A 2018 survey by the AARP also revealed that three out of four older adults want to stay in their homes as they age.

For those coordinating care, the current landscape could be a challenge. According to Sundial Labs research, only about a third of those surveyed feel current technology is useful in helping find new solutions to assist their older loved ones. Yet, more than half expressed interest in trying out an app that would help them find new solutions.

A report released last year by a White House Task Force focused on aging adults says technology can help. For older adults, voice assistants have the highest rate of adoption (AARP ). Innovation that assists older adults with daily life and strong social connections will be key in helping older Americans “age in place.”

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In June of 2019, State Farm^® joined 206 other companies and industry associations by signing a “friend of the court” brief (a.k.a. amicus brief). This was a national business-led effort to proclaim support for, and defense of, equal employment opportunities for all people. During the months following, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed cases involving discrimination against the LGBTQ community. They weighed whether an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On Monday, June 15, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling, essentially saying, “Yes it does.” Under federal law, it is now unlawful for an employer to fire or otherwise discriminate against individual employees for being gay or transgender. This is the position State Farm advocated for by signing the amicus brief last year.

“At State Farm, helping people and improving the communities where we live and work is not just what we do, it’s what we believe in. That’s why we were proud to sign the ‘friend of the court’ brief in June 2019, and that’s why we’re very pleased with the recent Supreme Court ruling,” said State Farm Senior Vice President and General Counsel Steve McManus. “June is PRIDE month, and it’s fitting we celebrate this important ruling of equality, together. Especially at a time when our society is dealing with immense challenges of equal and social justice for all people.”

“It’s incredible the Supreme Court has confirmed what we already know. That every employee should be protected in the work place, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, as well as all other defining factors,” said Kathy Jones, co-leader of the PRIDE Employee Resource Group at State Farm.

“I have felt State Farm has always been an advocate for LGBTQ+ employees. There is no reason why any employee should need to be a protected class, and LGBTQ+ employees shouldn’t need to be given the same protection. Fortunately, State Farm has always been a huge supporter of the LGBTQ+ community as well as their employees who identify as such, but now citizens outside of the company are legally protected just like everyone else.”

Whether it’s helping life go right, recovering from the unexpected, or building safer and stronger communities, we are a company that makes it our business to improve the world around us… and for ALL of us.

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Imagine waking up and seeing a person in head-to-toe scrubs, face shield, mask, pants tucked into boots, and having no recollection of what happened or how you got to the hospital. And all during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That was Michelle Beedle’s reality recently. She started having seizures around age 40, but it had been about two years since her last episode. She mistakenly thought she was in the clear. Michelle lives alone, but luckily when this seizure occurred, she was on a call with her colleague, Bre Martin.

The two have worked together for almost a year as administrative assistants in Agency Services. The friendship and camaraderie could easily be heard between the two.

“Bre Martin is my Yoda. She's my go-to girl. Bre knows where to find the answer. She's the most experienced on our team. She holds all that knowledge and doesn't mind sharing it,” Michelle said.

Their team has a daily morning call, and afterward, Michelle pinged Bre asking to get on an individual call because she wasn’t feeling well.

“Michelle called me and I started rambling, and then all the sudden I could tell the headset had fallen and there was a rumbling. I know she has cats so maybe, I thought, she had gotten up to get one of them,” Bre explained. “I remember saying ‘Michelle, Michelle?’ And she wasn't answering. It dawned on me that she probably had a seizure. She'd been vocal about the seizure she had a couple years ago. I was afraid she had fallen and hit her head.”

So Bre called 911 on her cell phone while continuing to stay on the Skype call with Michelle. Luckily, Michelle had the idea to gather all their team members’ addresses a short time before her incident, so Bre knew where to send the ambulance when she called.

Since Bre knew Michelle’s history with seizures she was able to provide that important information to the dispatcher.

“I stayed on the Skype call and I stayed on with the dispatcher. I heard the knock on the door from the paramedics, then I heard her speak. It was the first I had heard her speak in about 10 minutes. She said ‘hello, who is it?’ She sounded disoriented.

“I was so grateful I was on the call with her.”

Their manager reported the incident to HR so Michelle’s emergency contact would be notified.

Michelle has no recollection of the event, but was light-hearted about it.

“Most important lesson is even if you're sheltering at home, it might be a good idea to put your clothes on every day. I was in a nightgown. I since have put my clothes on every day,” she said with a laugh.

“The hospital staff was so kind and so nice. I wasn't there for COVID or anything like that. It's the people observing it and taking care of you who get the brunt of the seizure and it's scary.”

Both Michelle and Bre said communication is key during this time.

“I've been trying to check in with everyone a little more frequently. If I hadn't been on the phone with Michelle we wouldn't have known. Who knows how long she could have been laying there?” Bre said.

Budgeting for pet expenses such as food, grooming, or day care is straightforward. Planning for an accident, illness, or injury is not. The last thing any pet owner wants to decide is whether they can afford to treat their beloved dog or cat for illness or injury. Medical insurance for pets makes the decision easier, allowing for the care they need, when they need it most.

Trupanion’s high-quality medical coverage is designed for the life of the pet. Trupanion pets are never penalized for being “unlucky” and incurring claims. Nor do they raise rates just because a pet ages. Trupanion is the only provider that can pay the veterinary invoice at the time of check-out, often in seconds, eliminating the need for pet owner reimbursement. The option to enroll puppies and kittens from birth, with as few pre-existing conditions as possible, means even better coverage.

“Pet health issues can be unexpected and expensive,” says Ken Heidrich, Agency Vice President at State Farm. “Pet medical insurance helps reduce the stress of veterinary medical bills, allowing families to focus on their beloved pet. We’re excited to expand our alliance with Trupanion and offer this product as a way to help even more customers prepare for and recover from the unexpected.”

Customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia can now enroll for Trupanion medical insurance online through statefarm.com®. While the short-term focus of this expansion is the online channel, work is underway to enable expansion of the agent channel in all other states.

“We are thrilled to help State Farm better serve all of their customers by making Trupanion’s high-quality medical coverage available for their pets,” said Margi Tooth, Chief Revenue Officer for Trupanion. “Designed with input from veterinarians, our comprehensive product coverage, 24/7/365 customer service and ability to pay veterinarians directly at the time of checkout, provide what we believe is the best value proposition in the industry.”

Trupanion is the leading provider of medical insurance for pets, insuring more than 500,000 cats and dogs in North America.

Trupanion will provide all pet medical insurance policy servicing. Underwriting or claims decisions will be at the sole discretion of Trupanion. Policyholders can access their pet medical insurance account and make changes to deductibles through the Trupanion website.

Pet owners can sign up for medical insurance for their pet by visiting the State Farm website at www.statefarm.com/insurance/pet. In addition, pet owners in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Missouri, and Oregon can visit directly with a State Farm agent to sign-up for coverage.

In The News

• Forbes:  Virtual Vets Are Raking In Funding—Is Pet Telehealth The Next Big Thing? (08/06/20)

Trupanion Contacts:

• Media: Michael Nank,michael.nank@trupanion.com  206-436-9825

• Investors: Laura Bainbridge, Head of Corporate Communications, InvestorRelations@trupanion.com  206-607-1929

Wind and hail are a common occurrence this time of year. Already this spring severe storms have damaged thousands of homes and vehicles across the country. A North Texas resident rebuilding her home following a fall tornado is proof the weather warnings ring true. Priceless memories can be lost.

The college soccer star feared four championship rings were gone forever when fall storms hit her home. A claims inspection weeks later, blocks away and unrelated to her own, turned her fear to joy.

A Terrifying Experience

When one of 10 tornadoes threatened Chelsea Raymond’s Garland, Texas, neighborhood Oct. 18, friends and family called concerned about her safety. Chelsea quickly took shelter with her dog under a mattress in the bathroom.

“Loud noises, everything breaking. Then, it went silent.” Chelsea, who is already scared of storms, said the experience was terrifying. Her home took a direct hit from an EF-2 tornado that tore through with 135 mile per hour winds. Emerging from the bathroom, she was thankful to be uninjured and hopeful not too much damage had occurred. She quickly saw her car and home had been destroyed.

“It was a shock, but the main thing is I was OK and my dog was OK, because that’s something no one can replace, but the other stuff I can. Of course it was sad to have to replace everything, but I’m OK with it,” she said.

Some of the personal property had priceless sentimental value. Chelsea starred as a soccer starter her four years at Texas’ Stephen F. Austin University. Chelsea and her teammates won four conference championships, creating a lifetime of memories. But, her treasured championship rings that helped relive those moments were carried away by the twister.

“I just think this tornado took everything where it wanted to take it,” Chelsea said. Her four championship rings couldn’t be found among the mangled debris. Luckily, two have been recovered, one by a neighbor in an alley, another on a random roof re-inspection.

Three Blocks Over

Looking at damaged roofs across Dallas – Fort Worth isn’t uncommon. According to State Farm^® claims data, Texas had more claims paid related to wind and hail than any other state in 2019. It’s sometimes what you find that is unique.

“I walked around the back of the roof for measurements and photos and something caught my eye,” said Jacob Kilcrease, State Farm Claims Specialist. Through random assignment, he was three blocks from Chelsea’s home about three months after the tornado. He jokes he finds toys often and first thought it was a ring from a gumball machine, but quickly realized it had much more meaning.

“When I originally found the ring, I saw the name, inscription, and immediately Googled the name and found a local news article that she was missing the ring.”

With the help of social media and a local news station, Jacob reunited the ring with Chelsea, making it one of the more unique discoveries and rewarding claims he’s worked.

“It’s almost like a needle in a haystack. I didn’t really believe it,” Chelsea said of the call informing her the second of her four missing rings had been found.

Jacob was amazed at all the coincidences that had to happen in order for him to come across Chelsea’s ring. From the ring hitting and staying put on a State Farm customer’s roof to that customer getting randomly drawn for re-inspection and the customer allowing it, “the stars had to align for all of that to take place. The odds of that happening are just unbelievable.”

Wind and hail are a common occurrence this time of year. Already this spring severe storms have damaged thousands of homes and vehicles across the country. A North Texas resident rebuilding her home following a fall tornado is proof the weather warnings ring true. Priceless memories can be lost.

The college soccer star feared four championship rings were gone forever when fall storms hit her home. A claims inspection weeks later, blocks away and unrelated to her own, turned her fear to joy.

A Terrifying Experience

When one of 10 tornadoes threatened Chelsea Raymond’s Garland, Texas, neighborhood Oct. 18, friends and family called concerned about her safety. Chelsea quickly took shelter with her dog under a mattress in the bathroom.

“Loud noises, everything breaking. Then, it went silent.” Chelsea, who is already scared of storms, said the experience was terrifying. Her home took a direct hit from an EF-2 tornado that tore through with 135 mile per hour winds. Emerging from the bathroom, she was thankful to be uninjured and hopeful not too much damage had occurred. She quickly saw her car and home had been destroyed.

“It was a shock, but the main thing is I was OK and my dog was OK, because that’s something no one can replace, but the other stuff I can. Of course it was sad to have to replace everything, but I’m OK with it,” she said.

Some of the personal property had priceless sentimental value. Chelsea starred as a soccer starter her four years at Texas’ Stephen F. Austin University. Chelsea and her teammates won four conference championships, creating a lifetime of memories. But, her treasured championship rings that helped relive those moments were carried away by the twister.

“I just think this tornado took everything where it wanted to take it,” Chelsea said. Her four championship rings couldn’t be found among the mangled debris. Luckily, two have been recovered, one by a neighbor in an alley, another on a random roof re-inspection.

Three Blocks Over

Looking at damaged roofs across Dallas – Fort Worth isn’t uncommon. According to State Farm^® claims data, Texas had more claims paid related to wind and hail than any other state in 2019. It’s sometimes what you find that is unique.

“I walked around the back of the roof for measurements and photos and something caught my eye,” said Jacob Kilcrease, State Farm Claims Specialist. Through random assignment, he was three blocks from Chelsea’s home about three months after the tornado. He jokes he finds toys often and first thought it was a ring from a gumball machine, but quickly realized it had much more meaning.

“When I originally found the ring, I saw the name, inscription, and immediately Googled the name and found a local news article that she was missing the ring.”

With the help of social media and a local news station, Jacob reunited the ring with Chelsea, making it one of the more unique discoveries and rewarding claims he’s worked.

“It’s almost like a needle in a haystack. I didn’t really believe it,” Chelsea said of the call informing her the second of her four missing rings had been found.

Jacob was amazed at all the coincidences that had to happen in order for him to come across Chelsea’s ring. From the ring hitting and staying put on a State Farm customer’s roof to that customer getting randomly drawn for re-inspection and the customer allowing it, “the stars had to align for all of that to take place. The odds of that happening are just unbelievable.”

Deon Joseph and Greg Owens have both spent significant amount of time on Skid Row, the notorious 50-block area of East LA.

Deon, an LAPD officer, and Greg, a State Farm^® agent, just crossed paths for the first time, but not in one of America’s most condensed homeless populations where they both volunteer. Instead, on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE).

HGTV’s EMHE returned this February with 10 new episodes highlighting great stories, inspiring volunteers and mind-blowing home renovations for families who give back to their communities.

State Farm is teaming with EMHE in three episodes, where agents are giving their time to help these amazing families.

The season premiered on Feb. 16 with the Mosley family from Bakersfield, Calif. Jessica Mosley, a social worker and single mom of two, welcomed three additional teens who were deemed “unadoptable” into her family and home. Bakersfield agents Elizabeth Lehr and Darlene Denison and their teams helped the Mosley family update their home. Elizabeth and Darlene were both single mothers who believe in helping their communities.

On the March 22 episode, you met Pedro Juaregui, a SoCal military vet whose new mission is to help other veterans re-enter society. His family was the recipient of the home makeover.

Local agents Maritza Gonzalez and Damian Useda were compelled to volunteer their time to help the Juaregui family. Maritza’s husband is a veteran and knows firsthand the sacrifice of military families. Damian, a 23-year Army reserve veteran, served three tours in Kuwait. Both agents and their teams helped give the military family the home of their dreams.

Don’t forget to tune into HGTV on April 5 at 9 p.m. ET to catch Greg volunteering with his State Farm team. Not only is he an agent but also a neighbor and a chaplain who has long volunteered to help the homeless of Skid Row.

The new 10-episode season of EMHE features new host Jesse Tyler Ferguson and guests including: Anthony Anderson, Derek Hough, Ty Pennington, LeAnn Rimes, OWN’s Laila Ali, Food Network’s Tyler Florence and HGTV stars David Bromstad, Tamara Day, Tarek El Moussa and Jasmine Roth.

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Editor’s Note: In our current reality of social distancing, seeing photos of people shoulder to shoulder is a bit jarring. The episodes described in this story were filmed well before the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced. State Farm and its associates continue to do good in these trying times, just as we always have.

Deon Joseph and Greg Owens have both spent significant amount of time on Skid Row, the notorious 50-block area of East LA.

Deon, an LAPD officer, and Greg, a State Farm^® agent, just crossed paths for the first time, but not in one of America’s most condensed homeless populations where they both volunteer. Instead, on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE).

HGTV’s EMHE returned this February with 10 new episodes highlighting great stories, inspiring volunteers and mind-blowing home renovations for families who give back to their communities.

State Farm is teaming with EMHE in three episodes, where agents are giving their time to help these amazing families.

The season premiered on Feb. 16 with the Mosley family from Bakersfield, Calif. Jessica Mosley, a social worker and single mom of two, welcomed three additional teens who were deemed “unadoptable” into her family and home. Bakersfield agents Elizabeth Lehr and Darlene Denison and their teams helped the Mosley family update their home. Elizabeth and Darlene were both single mothers who believe in helping their communities.

On the March 22 episode, you met Pedro Juaregui, a SoCal military vet whose new mission is to help other veterans re-enter society. His family was the recipient of the home makeover.

Local agents Maritza Gonzalez and Damian Useda were compelled to volunteer their time to help the Juaregui family. Maritza’s husband is a veteran and knows firsthand the sacrifice of military families. Damian, a 23-year Army reserve veteran, served three tours in Kuwait. Both agents and their teams helped give the military family the home of their dreams.

Don’t forget to tune into HGTV on April 5 at 9 p.m. ET to catch Greg volunteering with his State Farm team. Not only is he an agent but also a neighbor and a chaplain who has long volunteered to help the homeless of Skid Row.

The new 10-episode season of EMHE features new host Jesse Tyler Ferguson and guests including: Anthony Anderson, Derek Hough, Ty Pennington, LeAnn Rimes, OWN’s Laila Ali, Food Network’s Tyler Florence and HGTV stars David Bromstad, Tamara Day, Tarek El Moussa and Jasmine Roth.

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Twenty years ago, a month-old baby girl was life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She had a congenital defect called a vascular ring – two aorta veins formed during gestation that encircled her trachea and esophagus – basically strangling her. Her father, Jason Heiner, IT GRC Analyst in Bloomington; her mother; and her three siblings stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City during her month-long stay for surgery and recovery.

“We lived a couple hours away, and having a place for the whole family to stay nearby for free was a tremendous blessing,” he said. “It’s something else you didn’t have to worry about. It gives you a home base, a place to get a decent night’s rest and provides some sense of normalcy so a family can focus on the health of their child.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) offer home environments with Ronald McDonald Houses, family rooms in hospitals for families to rest, mobile health care and grants. Volunteers bring food in or cook for the families staying at the houses, and often play games with the kids and talk to the parents.

Fast-forward 20 years, and Jason had an opportunity to pay it forward to RMHC. Peoria, Ill., about 45 minutes from Bloomington, is home to a new Ronald McDonald House, and Jason and his team volunteered to help put the finishing touches on several rooms recently.

Brian Barron, IT GRC Analyst, got involved with the new Ronald McDonald House through a friend. As a volunteer firefighter, he helped gather patches from 95 different police and fire departments for a special first responder room.

“When we were there, I realized how grateful I am for how healthy my family can be. You’re helping other families focus on their child, not to mention it’s a great organization,” Brian said.

The Peoria house will serve 700 families a year, and those families will never pay a thing. The first family to stay in the Peoria house was from Bloomington.

Jason remembers moving from Utah to Illinois and being disappointed there wasn’t a RMHC nearby.

“Having a daughter that sick, we looked to see what the hospitals were in the area. It was top of mind. Hearing that Peoria was getting a Ronald McDonald House and that we were going to help out was priceless,” Jason said. “Just walking into the building in Peoria gave me pause to count my blessings. Making some furniture and setting rooms up for people was great because I have some understanding of what they’re going through and what this is going to mean to them. It’s not something you can put a price on.”

It also gave Jason an opportunity to talk to his now 20-year-old daughter about the experience.

“It gave me a chance to have a conversation with my daughter about some of those things that time has dulled. This experience sharpened my memory of what other people did for me that I could not do for myself.”

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State Farm was a big part of this year’s All Star game both on AND off the court! Take a look at some highlights of the big event.

OK, we have to immediately dive into that first one. Opioids? Yes. Consider this:

• The risks associated with negligence, fraud, deceptive marketing and over-prescription are significant.
• The opioid crisis impacts people all around the world; however, most claims come from towns, districts or municipalities, rather than individuals.
• The Society of Actuaries estimates the total economic burden of the opioid crisis in the U.S. from 2015 to 2018 was $631 billion.

This was one of several topics State Farm® and other insurers discussed at a conference of the Geneva Association – the leading international think tank of the insurance industry, which pursues “Insurance for a Better World.”

State Farm, a member the past eight years, hosted the event in late 2019, gaining insight into how international policymakers think about various regulatory matters.

"There is both inherent competition and a wide range of differing points of view within the insurance industry from a global perspective,” said Kevin Frederick, Vice President – Counsel in the Law Department. “But there are also real societal and global issues that transcend all of us, and emerging forms of risk that impact all of us.”

“Perhaps the most important takeaway for me,” he said, “has been not only learning more about differing points of view within the international industry, but also how these differing points of view are interconnected with our shared values.”

Other interesting topics:

Artificial intelligence (AI)

• AI is a rapidly evolving area that crosses all forms of business in various ways.
• As AI continues to evolve, new and emerging risks follow, with complex considerations from a legal, ethical and cultural perspective.
• A new area of research and regulation centers on why machines make the decisions they do.

Ride sharing

• As ride-sharing continues to surge in popularity, there are fragmented approaches toward regulating risk and liability across cities, states and countries.
• The ride-sharing experience from an insurance, risk and liability perspective is complex. For example, consider when and how coverage applies before, during and after a driver and passenger engage in a ride-sharing experience.
• Insurance, risk and liability are based on historical loss patterns and predictive outcomes. The ride-sharing economy lacks historical data and is continually influenced by evolving forms of technology and AI.

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Watch Full Video

See the announcement & panel discussion on the “future of work”

State Farm^® and Arizona State University are partnering to offer funding and opportunities for students through the State Farm Education Assist® program.

Through a $30 million charitable donation, State Farm will support ASU’s Pathways for the Future program, providing new online learning tracks, certificate programs and scholarships. With this partnership, we are committing to helping the current and future workforce build skills for the future.

“At State Farm, we believe in lending a hand to build safer, stronger and better-educated communities. With the rapid pace of technological change underway, this means supporting our current and future workforce in adapting and responding to these shifts,” said State Farm Chairman and CEO Michael Tipsord. “As a good neighbor, we’re committed to helping people realize their dreams through education programs and through Pathways for the Future, we look forward to growing this commitment together with ASU.”

Pathways for the Future (PFF) is aimed toward high school, community college and university students, as well as lifelong learners already in the workforce who are interested in new and evolving jobs. It has four components:

• Online courses, academic tracks (including STEM) and certificate programs – all courses are credentialed for transcript credit and employees will be able to take advantage by using their tuition reimbursement benefit.
• Financial Support and Scholarships – to assist students on a path to a certificate, undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Tools for Success – redesigned with improved degree mapping for transfer students, and an updated career assessment tool to help students discover their career interests.
• Pathways Career Transitions and Success Center – increased focus on engaging students on the web, through social media, or via mobile applications, resources and student support ensure that PFF State Farm Scholars are career ready.

The PFF programs will be available for tuition reimbursement to all eligible State Farm employees with at least one year of service. The courses are also accessible virtually, providing a learning platform for employees outside of Arizona to continue personal development.

This is the second location to be part of the Education Assist program. State Farm also partners with Georgia State University Decatur Perimeter campus, which was announced in April 2017.
 

Related Story: Program Helps Students Give Back

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State Farm^® will be highlighted in a nationally televised program that focuses on the military and veteran community.

“Operation Career” is a special edition of “Military Makeover,” with 30-minute episodes profiling various industries and career opportunities with companies that help veterans assimilate into the civilian workplace.

Transitioning out of the military back to civilian life brings a variety of challenges.

State Farm was invited to participate in a segment, titled “Operation Career: Employment Opportunities for Our Military Spouses & Veterans – Helping Our Heroes Transition from Military Life to The Civilian Workplace.”

Three State Farm veterans – Information Security Consultant Tony Tran, Claim Specialist Roger Perez and St. Petersburg, Fla., Agent Mimi Lange – are profiled in a segment that will air on the Lifetime Network Feb. 7 and 13 at 7:30 a.m. EST. State Farm has been recognized as one of the leading military-friendly employers supporting veterans and military employees, since 2009. Human Resources Talent Brand Specialist Jennifer Sneen shares company philosophy behind hiring the unique skill-sets and core-values of those who served, and her own story as a military spouse.

Inspired by the events of 9/11, Tony Tran joined the Marines out of high school in 2004. As a Staff Sergeant, he supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq in 2008 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2011. Tony began his State Farm career in 2016 as an Information Security Specialist.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Perez was commissioned through the Army ROTC program. Roger completed two one-year deployments to Kuwait, in 2003-2004 with the 336^th Finance Command and in 2010-2011 with the 335^th Signal Command. He retired after more than 20 years of service in 2012. Roger began his State Farm career in 2001 in Claims.

Mimi Lange joined the Army Reserves in high school before attending Delaware State University. The Civil Affairs Specialist spent her senior year of college in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon returning, she attended the Defense Language Institute, learning to read, write and speak Arabic. Mimi began her State Farm career in 2009 as an agent in Atlanta and transitioned to work at Corporate for two years before returning to agency in Saint Petersburg, Fla.

Jennifer Sneen is a 24-year Army spouse who served as a Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader for the 209^th Military Intelligence Company while her husband was deployed in 2011. Jennifer also worked for the Department of Defense in the Retirements Office helping soldiers transition from active service. Jennifer began her career with State Farm as an Auto Claim Rep in 2013, accepted a Recruiter role in 2017, ascending to her current role.

The segment was filmed onsite at our Marina Heights campus in Phoenix.

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For 11 years, a garage sale has brought a community together.

Kathy Schumacher, Underwriting service assistant in Charlottesville, Va., started the garage sale with then coworker Darlene Lyons. Darlene had a friend who was homebound and needed a lot of help, which she received through the local Meals on Wheels program. So, Darlene decided to raise money to benefit the organization.

They didn’t want to just fundraise, they wanted to provide an event.

The Fluvanna (County) Meals on Wheels Garage Sale was created as a way to not only fundraise, but to provide an opportunity for people to donate goods they no longer needed. Someone’s trash is another’s treasure, as they say.

“We collect donated items at our houses and then take them to where we are hosting the sale. We clean, restore, price, organize and sort everything,” Kathy said.

Kathy has used a week of her paid time off to organize and manage the garage sale every year, and every year she invites her State Farm^® colleagues to volunteer with her.

“When I saw the email that we got a second CSES (Community Service and Education Support) team day, I made sure to mention that to my coworkers in all divisions – production, call center, Underwriting. Every year, the sale gets bigger and bigger so we can use all the hands we can get.”

“Kathy saw the opportunity for people to do two days. She started building buzz around the office and was able to get people who had not used the CSES,” said Sabrina Morris, Underwriting support supervisor. “One employee said they would have not used the CSES day because volunteering can be intimidating by yourself, but this person was able to pair up with someone they knew and volunteer together. It encouraged more employees to do it.”

Kathy said 24-28 State Farm colleagues volunteered in 2019 for the nine-hour day, helping to raise $17,750, plus a Good Neighbor Grant® Team Program application provided another $500.

Sabrina accepted Kathy’s invitation to volunteer for the first time.

“It was a really welcoming environment,” Sabrina said. “It was nice to be there with people you knew. You were volunteering, but it felt less like volunteering and more like doing something good with people you enjoy being around.”

“It is such a positive environment. Everyone is so happy and wants to reach the same goal,” Kathy added. “The team day did a lot because you were able to get to know somebody you see, but can’t talk to them, such as at the call center.”

And it all comes back to what the mission is – help seniors receive nourishment and interactions they may not get otherwise.

“It’s just something I believe in. No one should be alone and no one should go without food,” Kathy said.

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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.”

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We took Cheryl’s She Shed to BravoCon. Superfans and Bravo influencers recently gathered for the 3-day event in New York. They immersed themselves in favorite shows and interacted with Bravolebs (Bravo celebrities) at live panels and performances.

They also got to hang out in the chichier She Shed. The pop-up featured a television, branded macarons, State Farm^® red nail polish, celebrity guests and more. Take a look at some of our favorite photos.

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We are fortunate to live in a world where various cultures and populations celebrate diverse holidays and recognize different observances. Learning about the traditions of others helps us better connect. In this video, State Farm^® employees talk about what’s important to them this time of year. Visit the Holiday Highlights site to learn about celebrations taking place in the last quarter of the year.

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The beauty that comes with West Coast scenery is something extraordinary to behold – the warm breeze hits your face as you take in the expansive landscape. Trees bustling with wildlife, bees busy pollinating flowers, mountain tops looming in the distance or the tide hitting the sandy beach….

And then your stomach growls, bringing you back to reality.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with her partner, Terry (street name: Pony Boy), Onya Jensen found awe-inspiring majesty in her surroundings, even as they struggled to feed themselves.

“I really do miss waking up on a new beach every day, but eating out of trash cans was not the greatest, and having to walk to find work was hard,” Onya said.

Before leaving Arizona to hit the PCT, both Onya and Pony Boy found support and a family with the Aris Foundation – an organization devoted to helping the hungry, needy and politically under-represented homeless adults in Arizona. Onya had been on the streets since she was a teen, holding jobs while completing high school. Pony Boy found support from the organization to get sober, and the foundation helped get them both off the streets.

Every Tuesday, Aris Foundation provides meals, hygiene products and snack packs for the homeless.

“Pony Boy used to come out every Tuesday and then he brought Onya. They needed help to get off the streets, and we helped them furnish their place,” said Aris Foundation Founder and CEO Katherine Kouvelas. “You would never know she was struggling then.”

Returning from the PCT, Onya was able to get back on her feet with a job as a claim associate at State Farm^® – a similar position she had before heading to the trail – and now she dedicates her time to volunteering with the Aris Foundation.

“I love seeing the faces. I call them my family. I want them to succeed and get sober and see them happy,” said Onya. “The Aris Foundation means community to me. It’s the community that shows up to that park on Tuesday, rain or shine, with no class separation. A full belly and a warm blanket is all any of them want.”

“Onya is very customer focus oriented and takes pride in assisting her customers to the furthest point. She recognizes the importance of remarkable recovery opportunities and takes ownership of the customer experience,” said Franklin Banaszewski, Onya’s claim team manager. “Onya is a great resource to new associates. She is always willing to assist a peer in need!”

Because of her volunteer efforts, Onya was able to provide a $500 State Farm Good Neighbor Grant^® to the foundation. She used that money to provide a burrito dinner to about 150 Arizona homeless.

“When people like Onya and Pony Boy come back out and show everyone still out there that they did it, they’re showing them it’s possible. It’s not easy, but they can do it, too,” Katherine said. “Onya is articulate, beautiful, intelligent. You couldn’t get a better spokesperson. She has had to fight for everything and she still stays positive and happy.”

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When wildfires devastated California communities in 2018, Aaron Rodgers' hometown of Chico was among them. He teamed up with State Farm^® to help the area's long-term recovery.

Aaron donated $1 million to the North Valley Community Foundation and challenged others to #Retweet4Good. State Farm Neighborhood of Good^® also donated $1 million. Countless others joined in. All told, $3 million was raised. 

Now, a year later, the Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund is actively making grants. The funds are supporting kids' programs, youth and high school sports, and transitional and permanent housing. 

Rodgers was recently a guest on the Pat McAfee show. McAfee complimented the work he and State Farm have done promoting wildfire relief.

“I just got all of the stats sent to me about what you and State Farm have been able to do for California Wildfire relief,” McAfee said. “Incredible work.”

“State Farm has been a great partner for a long time with some good commercials. With their Neighborhood of Good, they already do a ton of great stuff," Rodgers said. “Last year, I felt compelled to help out the area I grew up in, and they stepped up and donated $1 million alongside me.”

Rodgers talked about the impact the fires had on his hometown and surrounding communities, including Paradise.

“To have two bad fires in two years, it’s been tough on those fine folks,” Rodgers said. “But there have been a lot of great people helped by the donations of State Farm and some other amazing folks in the state and across the country. It’s been fun to see people come together.”

A State Farm customer in Atlanta recently left a pan on the stove unattended, and it caught fire. They forgot the adage and attempted to put out the fire by throwing water on it. While nobody was hurt, the damage increased.

"The result was $9,000 in insured damages to the stove, cabinets, countertops and floor," said their agent Ken Anderson, of Alpharetta, Georgia. “You should never use water to try and put out a grease fire."

It could have been worse. The average State Farm cooking/grease fire claim in the U.S. was more than $48,000 in 2018.

Georgia is the top state for cooking fire losses. Anderson has seen at least two dozen cooking-related fire claims in his 38 years as an agent. Many were made worse when oil and water mixed.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of kitchen fires. NFPA data shows that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

The oil and water pitfalls are not reserved to the kitchen. Last year, around Thanksgiving, one of Ken's customers attempted to fry a frozen turkey. In addition to not having thawed the bird, the customer had too much oil in the fryer. When he dropped the turkey in, the hot oil spilled over, leaving him with second degree burns and a damaged deck.

Among the advice Ken shares with customers?

“Make sure you have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers that are up to date,” he said. “And, keep a cooking or grease fire-approved fire extinguisher nearby when cooking or frying.”

It pays to follow the advice. In 2018, State Farm paid more than $118 million for nearly 2,500 cooking/grease fire homeowners* claims across the U.S.

*Note: excludes renters and condo unit claims.

Because many families and friends engage in cooking during the holidays, it is important to follow some basic safety tips:

• Always keep an eye on what you are cooking/frying. Never leave the cooking area unattended.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
• Keep a lid beside the pan when cooking. If a fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never throw water on a grease fire.
• Keep a fire extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fires nearby. Make sure your smoke alarms are working.

Mouse over (or touch on mobile) the + on the interactive image below to see the safety tips.

United States Air Force Brigadier General Tracey Siems’ position at the company was secured three times during her 31-year military career. Tracey, an information security manager at State Farm, retired from the Air Force Nov. 1 after a robust career.

“I wanted to do something few people did,” Tracey said of deciding to attend the United States Air Force Academy. “I was in the ninth class to graduate women. That in itself was pretty groundbreaking.”

Tracey continued to make history through the Air Force, being only the third of three women to make the rank of brigadier general in the Financial Management and Comptroller career field. While serving as the finance officer during an operation in Germany in the 1990s, Tracey was in charge of providing monetary needs for fuel and landing fees for missions providing medical supplies and food to citizens when the Soviet Union was broken up into several smaller countries.

“We had 65 airlift missions to go into those countries taking medical supplies and food. We had to pay fuel and landing fees in cash, so I was responsible for getting paying agents on each plane and ensuring they had enough cash to pay for it. You don’t think of finance people as boots-on-the-ground people,” she remembered.

In her highest position as brigadier general, Tracey increased the amount of colonel positions underneath her position, “allowing more career paths all across the Air Force.”

Tracey has moved through State Farm, making improvements where she could as well. Hired in 1998, she had the opportunity to follow a job track to become a project manager and then a security manager. Through it all, State Farm supported her during her military obligations.

“They’ve always been great about giving me time off and State Farm has always complied with the military leave laws, even going above and beyond with that,” she said.

Tracey also helped get the Military Affinity Group (MAG) approved – an Employee Resource Group for all State Farm employees. Employee Resource Groups serve as resources for employees’ growth and development. Tracey worked to get it approved, sought an executive sponsor for support and worked with a team through the year-long process. She was president of MAG for the first two years.

“It was right after 9/11 and one of my cube mates, Tim Wheeler, and I talked about forming an affinity group to support the military,” she said. “After 9/11, we knew the Reserves were going to be busier and the group would be a way to keep the relationship between the company and the military.

“We thought it would be a good way to have understanding between requirements on both sides and help State Farm understand the skillsets military personnel can bring to the company and how State Farm can leverage them.”

Tracey said the most difficult thing the last 30 years has been balancing both careers and family time.

“My husband farms, so I tried to do duty when he wasn’t planting or harvesting. That was a juggling act,” Tracey said. “If I was on military duty, I’d do State Farm work at night and vice versa. It was a constant balancing act.”

But, she’s humbly proud of what she has accomplished.

“We do it because it’s our job and what we do. We don’t step back to think about the sacrifices we’ve made.

“This year has been a good time to pause and reflect on my career and service. It is an honor to be recognized on Veterans Day.”

More than one billion people worldwide are unnecessarily blind or vision impaired. Most just need a pair of glasses. Thousands of American children are among them. Children who should be busy learning, are instead struggling to see.

Kovan Reynolds was one of those kids. The 13-year-old from Atlanta had to stand up at the front of the classroom to read the white board. He would squint and get headaches playing his favorite video game. He wanted more confidence on the soccer field. He wanted a new pair of glasses.

Kovan’s mom, Rene Elmore, knew he needed a new pair after losing a few frames. His eyesight had gotten worse and he needed an exam. But life kept getting in the way.

The single mom had just put herself through college and landed a new job. With everything on their plates, getting to the eye doctor ended up on the backburner. Then a State Farm employee decided to celebrate her 30^th work anniversary by giving back.

A happy hour or food day wasn’t really Michele Means’ style, but community service was. She also wanted to engage her work colleagues in the act of good, and help youth.

“I was looking for an idea that would be impactful and different,” Michele said. “I reached out to the local Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta because of the amazing work they do.”

Sophie Felix, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Director of Teen Services, suggested an eyeglass collection campaign paired with free exams and fittings; Project Vision.

“I have two adopted brothers whose birth mother was blind…my mom initially struggled to get them the eyecare and glasses they needed,” Sophie said. “I know what a difference having proper glasses makes.”

“I thought, it must be so difficult to learn and succeed if you can’t see properly. Good vision should never be taken for granted,” Michele shared. “Sophie thought 30 frames would be a good goal. But I knew my State Farm community could pull off more.”

She was right.

• 145 frames were collected from Michele’s State Farm network, more than 200 total.
  • 11 State Farm employees also donated their time at the event.
• 113 Boys and Girls Club members attended the mid-October Project Vision event.
  • The extra glasses will be used at future BGCMA events.
• 31 members had free eye screenings and received free exam vouchers, including Kovan.
• 34 members with prescriptions received free glasses.

It was a pretty impactful way to celebrate a work anniversary. 

And, a huge weight was lifted off Rene’s shoulders; Kovan is getting his glasses!

Have old frames? Skip the junk drawer and instead help people all over the world. Across the US, the Lions Club has drop-off locations.
 

“When you lose everything, it is natural to be so emotionally attached to the things that you have lost,” Keith says. “It’s a painful process to have to think about everything you lost.

“However, if you take the time to go room by room, opening cabinets and closets and taking pictures or getting it all on video, in a large catastrophe like this, it speeds up the process.”

Keith completed his own home inventory, as well as doing one for his mother. Many of 1,100 customers who filed claims, however, didn’t have one to refer to.

“It is a frustrating process when submitting a claim,” Keith says. “Think about getting asked about everything you own? How many pair of socks, shirts, shoes, pants.”

Santa Barbara, Calif., Agent Irene Henry helped a customer who had a total loss in the Jesusita Fire in 2009 update her home inventory with a smartphone.

“It’s important to update an inventory, or do one if you haven’t already, of the contents of your home” Irene says. “Whether taking pictures or video, or writing down an inventory list, you have that information. If you have a claim, an inventory will make it smoother and easier to process.”

Irene walked customer Mary Knapp through creating an inventory of the Knapp’s home on Mary’s smartphone, opening drawers and cabinets in the kitchen, closets in bedrooms and walking throughout the house recording every detail.

“It’s so important,” says Mary. “It triggers your mind because there is so much you could never be able to recall it later.”

Mary stored the inventory in her phone, and also has it on a backup hard drive. A home inventory can also be emailed to a customer’s agent.

“Recovering from the fires, it has been emotional. It still is,” Keith says. “But the claims were emotionally easier for customers who completed the inventory.”

The final count was 161,658 water bottles collected. The donated water is important in Arizona because of the incredibly hot temperatures in the spring and summer.

“We had a mild spring, but when it’s 115 to 120 degrees outside and you’re a first responder doing a 12-hour shift, you get dehydrated very fast,” says Steve Boomer, State Farm employee.

Lorenzo Lozano, State Farm employee, says, “This water is going to help combat the heat that’s coming. Summer heat in Arizona can be so dangerous for first responders and the homeless community. I’m proud of how driven the campus was to donate.”

“A customer called my office and asked if I had any pull with the State Farm Arena in Atlanta,” Teresa chuckles,” to which I replied ‘Uh, no, not at all.’”

The customer is the founder of the Dei Gratia International Training Center in Spalding County, Ga. The center helps international riders come to the U.S. to compete in National Barrel Horse Association racing competitions.

They had recently hosted Filip, their first rider from Slovakia and their first rider with Down syndrome. He started riding horses 10 years ago as therapy. Filip didn’t travel with his own horse, so trainers at the center provided horses for him to choose from to ride in the competition.

“Filip has won numerous awards and medals in barrel racing,” Teresa says of the 20-year old. “He won the gold and silver medals in the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2015, and in 2017 he won the Handicap Barrel Race World Championship.”

Filip came to the U.S. with his father and a film crew from a program called “V Siedmom Nebi,” which translates to “Seventh Heaven.” It’s a program that grants wishes to those with serious illnesses or physical challenges.

Besides riding in the barrel racing competition, one of Filip’s wishes was to go to an Atlanta Hawks basketball game.

“The program sponsor had purchased tickets to a Hawks game, but something got lost in translation,” explains the 30-year agent from Griffin, Ga. “They purchased the tickets for the wrong night and missed the game. He was only in the country about a week and this was the last thing on his wish list.”

That’s where Teresa came in.

“The customer, who had helped them with the barrel competition, asked if I would call State Farm Arena, explain the mistake and have the group’s tickets changed,” she says. “I didn’t have any way to do that, so I decided I would buy them tickets to the next home game.”

While attempting to help Filip and his group get tickets, Teresa spoke with Terrell, an associate at the arena. She told him about Filip and the special situation.

“He must have contacted someone at the facility who was associated with the Hawks because when Filip and the group arrived at the arena, they were treated to a meet and greet with current and former players, including Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.”

Filip had quite an ending to his Seventh Heaven trip to the U.S.

Teresa is a proponent for those who have physical or mental challenges.

“My husband was the executive director of the Griffin Area Resources Center for 22 years,” adds Teresa. “The center provides people with mental health challenges vocational training, employment, residential services and family outreach services.

“I never got to meet Filip, but I’m glad I could help him check off the final wish on his list.”

Cato, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, joined the department in May 2017 after graduating from the State Farm Arson Dog program. The $50,000 cost for the program was sponsored by State Farm^®.

A year after her arrival, Cato’s partner and handler, Darlington County Fire Chief Ricky Flowers, says he can’t imagine life without her.

“There was a media blitz when she arrived, and arson fires have dropped 85 percent since she came on board. Cato did what we wanted her to do – cut down on the number of suspicious fires.”

But her role has expanded to be much more than an arson dog. Ricky says he is beyond amazed at Cato’s expanding role in the fire department’s public relations efforts.

When not investigating suspected arson scenes, the cuddly canine is seen around town promoting fire safety, social interaction and literacy to local students.

Cato’s recent visit to a local elementary school resulted in a request from the school for more State Farm-branded dog bone flashlights for a Cato-inspired pajama party and reading event for its students.

“We went to the school to demonstrate fire prevention, and the kids fell in love with her,” Ricky says.

In turn, Ricky was inspired by the request to expand the elementary school's literacy efforts.

“This year we’re trying a program where local elementary school students in every grade who read the most books get to spend the day at the firehouse with us,” he says. “We’d like to do it before winter break and again after winter break to give the kids something to look forward to and inspire them to read.”

Ricky says the pair have become local celebrities of sorts to students.

“State Farm gave us trading cards with our picture on them that we hand out to the kids,” Ricky says. “They’ve been a big hit. Kids come up to me in the grocery store to say hello.”

Kim Conyers, Public Affairs specialist, says the fire chief has developed a clever extension of the Arson dog partnership.

“Using Cato and the elementary schools in the area to morph safety education into promoting literacy is a great concept,” Kim says.

In addition to literacy, Cato helps college students learn more about sociology.

Ricky’s wife, Shannon, teaches sociology and criminology at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. Cato visits her class to demonstrate her arson technique.

“I explain that Cato is totally unbiased. She doesn’t see suspects. She’s just looking for clues,” her handler says. “The students love the demonstration, and they also love to pet her. They ask if I can bring her back before exams to help them relax.”

Like the students, Cato relaxes in her down time. At home and at schools, she is a playful puppy.

Until it’s time to go to work. Like many working dogs, Cato’s personality changes depending on the situation.

“Her chests puffs out, and her mood changes. She goes from playful to working girl as soon as she sees me pick up the leash,” says Ricky. “When the leash goes on, her nose goes to the ground and she doesn’t care what else is going on around her. She’d ignore a T-bone steak. It’s like she’s got a split personality.”

Cato couldn’t make it as a disability support dog at Paws for a Cause because of her energy and curiosity.

“She is our first arson dog. Our original plan was to slow arsons down in the county because we were having a problem,” he says. “When I approached our administration to ask about getting a dog, I said I didn’t know what else the dog would be able to do. Now we see that she does so much more. She is the most valuable tool we have in the department right now.”