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.
 

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.
 

Elizabeth relied on friends and busses to get her children to school and herself to doctors' appointments. Every day was a battle.

In 2016 things started turning around. In the form of a 2012 sedan. The Gomez family became one of the more than1,000 families across the country who were handed keys to reliable transportation from the National Auto Body Council.

For nearly a decade, the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides program has provided reliable transportation to families in need. Nearly 300 cars were donated by the program in 2016 alone; 30 of the cars were donated by State Farm.

The Recycled Rides program brings together business partners in the auto industry such as insurers, auto body shops and dealerships with community organizations to identify families in need. Damaged cars are brought back to near showroom condition for their new owners.

Scout's Honor

Camping is an important part of being a Boy Scout -critical to learning and experiencing the great outdoors. The biggest challenge for the largest Boy Scout Troop in the world is just getting there.

In November 2015, the Recycled Rides program provided the troop much needed transportation. A 4x4 truck was delivered to Atlanta’s Boy Scout Troop 100. But they didn’t just fill it with firewood and tents, the troop delivered gifts and care packages to needy neighbors.

Connected by Good Neighbors from coast to coast

Jennifer Castro, a single mom from the Los Angeles area, recalls the day she was presented her car as a day she’ll never forget. In 2016, the single mom was presented the keys to a new Nissan Altima, but also a key to a better life for her and her daughter.

After moving to Dallas in 2012, following two deployments and an honorable discharge from the Army, Henry and Quisha Darcus were barely adjusting to their new metro area when a string of bad luck hit. On her second day at work, Quisha was in a crash and their car couldn't be repaired or replaced.

What made this crash more difficult, the couple's seven-year-old daughter has critical, regular medical appointments. The family needed a car. Fortunately, the Iraq War vet and his family were presented a new sedan to help them navigate Dallas and get their daughter the help she needs.

While many take transportation for granted, this program brings together businesses and community groups to provide vehicles to needy families. Together, they make helping a routine.

En Español

A self-proclaimed “rebel”, Chris Kurowski failed his senior year of high school. Words of wisdom from his Grandfather moved him to action. Chris shares, “My Grandfather’s dying wish was that I return to high school and get my diploma, so I did.”

After graduation in 2001, and unsure of his next steps, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was about to board the bus for boot camp when the September 11 attacks occurred. With his departure delayed, he knew his world was about to change.

Not one but three tours of duty

After basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia, Chris completed “Advanced Individual Training” and became a Motor Transport Operator. He continued his commitment as a Reservist by serving one weekend a month and two full weeks during the year.

In 2003 Chris received orders to go to Iraq. “I wasn’t scared, I was kind of excited,” he said.

Chris served three tours of duty in Iraq. He earned two Bronze Stars and a Combat Action Badge. Chris shared, “It turns out, I ended up being pretty good soldier.”

On one mission, Chris observed a crash involving civilian casualties. Lifesaving skills and medical training helped him save the life of one of the civilians. This experience lead him down an unexpected path.

Between his first and second deployment, Chris married his hometown sweetheart Ashley. He also made the decision to pursue a career in fire service, enrolling in the Ohio Fire Academy.

He longed for the structure and brotherhood in fire service he enjoyed in the military. Half way through, he was called back to Iraq.

Chris’ third tour was the most difficult. With a wife and two beautiful daughters at home (and one on the way), it was even more difficult to return to service. “It’s more than just you,” he said. It was during this tour, Chris earned his second Bronze Star.

The Brotherhood of Fire Service

Chris landed a full-time position with Pleasant Township FD in Grove City, Ohio. His best friend signed up for the Certified Rescue Technician program through the Bowling Green State University State Fire School. Not one to be outdone, Chris decided to join him.

He hoped to use his GI Bill to pay his tuition, but learned the program didn’t qualify for reimbursement. Chris was devastated until he heard about a scholarship. A grant from State Farm® provided the scholarship. Chris went to training and earned his Certified Rescue Technician designation in August 2016.

“This training surpassed any expectations I had. Rescue Tech School is a high intensity hands on training. It helps you understand the why behind the decision,” Chris shared. “I want to be prepared when I get to the scene of a fire or crash. The worst feeling is not knowing what to do.”

Throughout his life, Chris has lived by one motto, "Put yourself in the position to be the best." He continues to surround himself with the best. His wife Ashley, and daughters Annabelle (eight), Stella (seven), and Gigi (four). And his new family at the Pleasant Township Fire Department.

Filing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward obtaining college financial aid. Turns out, it was also the lucky ticket to one of the hottest sessions at SXSW 2016.

It was nearly impossible to gain entrance to the SXSW keynote by First Lady Michelle Obama. It was limited to a select group of VIPs. But among them, sitting front-row center, were 81 high school college-bound seniors. They were selected for successfully completing their FAFSA and encouraging their friends to do the same on Twitter.

It was fitting the students were on hand to listen to the First Lady and her panel guests: entertainment mogul Queen Latifah, music legends Diane Warren and Missy Elliot, and actress Sophia Bush. The focus of the panel was empowerment through education and the #LetGirlsLearn initiative.

The students had all attended a Financial Aid Saturdays (FAS) program put on by the Austin Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Foundation. The “What are You Doing Saturday?” sessions, supported by State Farm, provide free FAFSA application assistance to prospective and current college students and their families.

The program was established after statistics revealed central Texas students were enrolling in college at a significantly lower rate than the 68 percent national average. A lack of understanding about the FAFSA application process was a main reason. Since the program’s beginning, it has helped increase the number of direct-to-college high school graduates. It's also enabled more students to pursue their post-secondary dreams.

The local FAS program and the SXSW experience was definitely empowering. For one, it solidified her motivation. “Since fifth grade, I was like, ‘I want to go to Harvard or Columbia.’ I’ve always had that mindset that college was going to be in my future”, said Emily Catalan.

Another student shared that because of FAS, she was accepted to several schools. She was overwhelmed, but thankful she had several good options from which to choose.

Hundreds of students are heading to their college selections thanks to resources and support offered by the Austin Chamber. That assist will help them realize their dreams in college and beyond.