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

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

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

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

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

 
State Farm Agent 
Whitney Mork

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

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

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

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

News of her story has spread and people are inspired.

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

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

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.

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)

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.

Ben's spent his entire life around horses. Riding since he was five years old, Ben’s passion is thoroughbred horses, taking them off the racetrack, rehabilitating and retraining them before finding them new homes. 

So with the wildfires raging in California, Ben found a way to marry his passions and quickly moved to help. With his truck and horse trailer, Ben volunteered his time and resources to help rescue horses caught in the path of wildfires. 

“These fires are devastating,” Ben said. “We are doing everything we can to help.” 

His life-long experience working with horses has been a huge advantage.  

“I showed up at one farm to help a gentleman with 10 horses that needed to evacuate,” Ben said. “There were no halters and the horses hadn’t been in a trailer in years. There were people there to help, but no one had any experience or training in knowing how to get the horses into the trailer.”  

Ben was able to load the horses on the trailer and moved them to safety. He has moved more than 30 horses to safety on his farm and continues to assist where he can.  

In his day job as a State Farm agent in Walnut Creek, California, Ben stresses how residents need to be aware of the severity of the fires and take any necessary precautions.  

“Get out early, listen to evacuation orders, and have a plan in place,” he said.  

In the News:

• KXTV-ABC10:  Davis resident rescues horses from the LNU Lightning Complex fires (8/20/20)

Let’s explain.

Dave is a life-long resident of Pequannock Township, New Jersey.

“It’s the kind of small town where everybody knows everybody else,” Dave said. “People look out for each other here.”

Among the many friends he’s made over the years are Gayle and George Douglas and their five children.

“Gayle’s brother was my best friend growing up. I feel like I’ve been a part of that family my whole life,” he explained.

The youngest member of the Douglas family is Colby, a 21-year-old man with Down syndrome. Colby contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital on April 2. He’d stay for the next 135 days. From the moment he was admitted, Colby’s situation was precarious. He spent the first 70 days on a ventilator. When he finally regained a bit of strength, doctors performed a tracheotomy. Then, slowly but surely, Colby started to heal.

Dave kept up with Colby’s situation, checking in on him and the family often. Dave had also recently been hospitalized with COVID.

“I was only in for three days and I was begging to come home,” Dave recalled. “I can’t imagine what he was going through in there.”

When Dave learned Colby was able to come home, he was overjoyed. He also got an idea.

“Him coming home after all this time was a big deal,” Dave said. “So I figured, ‘Why not try and do something special?'”

Everybody Loves a Parade

In addition to being a claims specialist, Dave’s also a member of the Town Council. When he found out Colby would be coming home on August 13, he made a few calls.

“One thing led to another and the next thing you know, we had quite a thing going,” Dave said.

The “thing” Dave got going was nothing less than a full-blown parade, complete with police car escorts, ambulances, limousines, and fire trucks flashing their lights. And, a crowd of close to 2,000 well-wishers lined the streets to welcome Colby home.

Local TV covered it, and Colby’s story went nation-wide via a TODAY Show interview.

“It was really a great day for the town and for Colby and his family,” Dave said.

That Dave orchestrated such a tremendous outpouring of generosity wasn’t surprising to those who know him.

“That’s pretty much the kind of guy he is,” said his manager, Roger Stites. “He’s always showing that Good Neighbor attitude in everything he does.”

Dave credits State Farm for supporting employees’ charitable efforts. And, he is particularly grateful for the way the company deals with employees impacted by COVID.

When he got out of the hospital, he was out of commission for about 15 days. He was then placed on paid administrative leave while he recuperated. A gesture Dave appreciated greatly.

“State Farm didn’t have to do that, but they did,” Dave said. “That’s the kind of place this is.”

The Kind of Place This Is

State Farm is “the kind of place” where helping others - being a Good Neighbor - is important. It’s recognized and rewarded.

“Here at State Farm we encourage our employees to carry the Good Neighbor Spirit out into their communities as part of our 100 for Good initiative. Dave and his work in the community, and with this parade, is a great example of how employees use that benefit to contribute and make a difference,” said Senior Vice President Annette Martinez. “We could not be prouder.”

Dave has recorded 100 Acts of Good. That earned him an extra paid day to volunteer. Not surprisingly, Dave used that extra day to volunteer at Colby’s parade.

Rankin is the executive director of Happy Wheels, a nonprofit organization that provides toys and books for hospitalized children at three hospitals in South Carolina. Although their mission is on hold because of COVID-19, the organization is still working to provide happiness and a distraction for children.

“We’re all about providing a moment of kid time to enjoy non-medical time during their hospital stay. We hear a lot that the Happy Wheels cart is the only bright spot for the kids,” Rankin said. “For those couple of minutes, it takes their mind off what they are there for and lets them be a kid.”

Happy Wheels also focuses on teaching younger generations to give back and help those not as fortunate by providing volunteer service hour opportunities. High school and college students host toy drives or fundraisers for Happy Wheels, and also help Rankin write thank you notes and sort toys into each age group.

Rankin said when Happy Wheels is allowed into the hospitals, about 300-350 kids receive a toy or book a week.

“The best part is seeing the change in their faces when we tell them why we’re there,” she said. “A majority of the kids don’t know who we are, so we knock on the door and they’re skeptical. When they see the cart, the change in their faces is indescribable. The child-like joy and ability to forget everything going on – there is no other feeling like it.”

Happy Wheels received a State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant in 2019.

In its ninth year, State Farm Neighborhood Assist provides $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofits each year to help fund neighborhood improvement projects. Because of the many challenges facing our nation right now, State Farm^® is removing all category requirements for submissions this year. This action will free up communities to submit causes to address their greatest needs.

The submission phase opens July 15 and ends when 2,000 submissions are reached. The State Farm Review Committee narrows the field to the Top 200 finalists using a scoring rubric. The voting phase will then take place Sept. 23-Oct. 2, when voters can vote for their favorite cause 10 times a day, every day. Finally, the 40 causes that receive the most votes will each win a $25,000 grant. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at www.neighborhoodassist.com.

"Grant programs that address community needs, like Neighborhood Assist, are more important than ever,” said Annette Martinez, State Farm Senior Vice President. “This initiative truly embodies the spirit of being a Good Neighbor.”

Last year, 163,000 people cast 4.4 million votes in support of their favorite causes, selecting winners from small towns and big cities. Since the program began, State Farm has awarded $8 million in support of more than 300 causes.

Rankin is hoping to win again this year.

“As a small nonprofit, it’s difficult to get grants. Neighborhood Assist gives us a chance to compete with the larger nonprofits,” she said. “I’ve never seen a grant process like it. I’m really grateful to State Farm.”

Join the conversation on Yammer!

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.”

State Farm agents throughout the state are providing nearly 54,000 vouchers for free milk, which can be redeemed at any Wisconsin Kwik Trip location through July 16. Together State Farm and Kwik Trip are pouring more than $120,000 into this dairy boost effort.

“Part of our mission at Kwik Trip is to make a difference in the lives of others. Teaming up with State Farm helps our communities and our local dairy farmers in a special way in these challenging times,” said John McHugh, Kwik Trip Director of Public Relations.

As food pantries have limited refrigeration, the availability of milk to families in need has been one of the many difficult challenges of COVID19. Supply chain disruptions have also impacted dairy prices at the stores.

Wisconsin-based State Farm Vice President of Agency Maggie Oleson said Wisconsin agents are proud to help the community in celebration of dairy month.

“June is dairy month, a special time in Wisconsin. It’s also a special month for State Farm as we celebrate our 98^th anniversary,” Oleson said. “Our agents wanted to do something impactful to celebrate, so we got together with Kwik Trip to help put milk on the tables of our friends, families and neighbors. And, given that both companies have over 300 storefronts in the state, the distribution of the vouchers across the state will have an expansive reach.”

Participating State Farm agents will distribute free milk vouchers this month throughout their local communities and at food pantries throughout the state. The vouchers can be redeemed for a free gallon of milk at any Wisconsin Kwik Trip location or Kwik Trip affiliate, through July 16. If you or someone you know is in need of milk please contact a Wisconsin-based State Farm agent to request a voucher. Vouchers will be provided on a first come first serve basis. To find an agent near you, visit: www.statefarm.com

To locate a Kwik Trip location near you: visit www.kwiktrip.com.

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 at State Farm^®:. 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.

“We are a close family, and this was a fun way to show how much we love our mom and dad,” Pam said. “I think the other residents have enjoyed our visits as well.”

Like most of us, all Vikki knew about shields is we need them right now.

So she decided to make some.

“About four or five months ago, I got a 3D printer,” said Vikki, an enterprise technology data analyst . Interested in 3D printing for a while, she had been using her new printer to make odds and ends around the house.

“I'd been printing mouthpieces for my daughter's trumpet and cute planters for my plants,” she said.

Then COVID-19 hit. She heard how local hospitals were in need of supplies, primarily face shields. Vikki decided that maybe she could put her newfound 3D printing skills to good use. She got to work.

Vikki recently made her first delivery of homemade shields. When she posted pictures the company's Yammer, she was extremely pleased and surprised with the reaction. People from all across State Farm offered to donate supplies, like much-needed transparency sheets. What surprised Vikki most was the number of people who owned 3D printers and said they were now going to do the same thing to help out.

“It’s things like this that make us who we are,” said Enterprise Technology-Data Executive DeWayne Griffin. “Every little bit helps, so hats off to Vikki for doing what she did and for being an inspiration to others.”

Vikki is currently working on her next batch, which will be ready for delivery soon. When asked how long she was going to keep making shields, she replied, “As long as they need them.”