“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.

In the News

• AccuWeather.com:  Ways to steer clear of deer this year (11/10/20)

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

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

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

State Farm, America’s largest property and casualty insurance provider, and U.S. Bank, the country’s fifth largest commercial bank, today announced a strategic alliance whereby U.S. Bank will assume State Farm Bank’s existing deposit and credit card accounts and State Farm agents will have the unique opportunity and tools to introduce U.S. Bank deposit products and co-branded credit cards to State Farm customers. This alliance will benefit State Farm customers, offering them new, easy ways to manage their banking needs.

The alliance is part of a broader strategy by State Farm to exit banking operations. In addition to assuming State Farm Bank’s existing deposit and credit card accounts, the two companies are exploring working together to provide State Farm customers with access to vehicle loans and business banking products.

“State Farm has been committed to helping people for nearly 98 years. U.S. Bank is an outstanding institution that shares our commitment to strong customer relationships,” said State Farm President and CEO Michael Tipsord. “When we combine State Farm’s deep customer relationships with the scale and capabilities of companies like U.S. Bank, we can help significantly more people.”

The transition of deposit and credit card accounts is scheduled to begin after closing, subject to regulatory approval, later this year and into 2021. Current State Farm Bank customers do not need to take any action.

“We are excited about this new alliance with State Farm because it will help us reach more customers in the moments that matter most,” said Andy Cecere, chairman, president and CEO of U.S. Bank. “It is a terrific opportunity to combine U.S. Bank products, services and digital capabilities with State Farm’s coast-to-coast network of agents. This relationship will provide State Farm customers with enhanced product options while expanding U.S. Bank’s reach into new and existing markets.”

State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States with nearly 19,000 agents serving approximately 84 million policies and accounts.

Barclays Capital Inc. advised State Farm in connection with this transaction.

The fine, while hefty, is nothing compared to the anguish distracted driving causes.

On Oct. 28, 2015, Joe Tikalsky was retrieving his newspaper from the road outside his home. A texting driver struck and killed the popular New Prague school bus driver.

Today his family advocates for distracted driving awareness.

Burying a loved one as a result of a preventable act is inconceivable to many. The Tikalskys’ hope Minnesota’s Hands-Free law keeps other families from experiencing their grief.

“Don’t be the person who decides someone else’s fate,” says Joe's daughter-in-law Tammi Tikalsky.

Unfortunately, the Tikalskys are not alone.

A 2018 Minnesota State Patrol report found distracted driving contributed to 1 in 4 Minnesota crashes. That's an average of 59 deaths and 223 serious injuries per year.

Minnesota is the 17th state to prohibit a person from holding a wireless device while driving.

Don’t be a distracted driver.

Distractions cause you to lose focus on safely operating your vehicle. Manual, visual or cognitive distractions are even causing many to drive dumber in their smart cars.

Texting, is among the worst of all driver distractions. Activities like reading a text message, taking a selfie or updating social media while driving are illegal and dangerous. Avoid the temptation by keeping your phone out of reach while driving. Pull over and park in a safe location if you must use your phone. Or, ask a passenger to make a call or send a text for you.

Currently, 48 states and D.C. ban text messaging for all drivers. State Farm continues to advocate for automobile and highway safety legislation at the state and federal level.

Still fighting the urge to pick up your phone while driving?

Apps like State Farm Drive Safe & Save can help improve your driving habits. To learn more about the new law and ways your can qualify for policy discounts, contact your local State Farm agent.

To help children in Bloomington, Illinois, and Minnetonka, Minnesota, stay warm as they play and make winter friends, State Farm donated 10,000 hats and gloves. The company facilitated the donation through local organizations well-versed in helping children.

In Bloomington, State Farm Agent Axel Jimenez worked through the local Promise Council to coordinate the distribution of the winter wear.

The Promise Council serves 13 schools in Bloomington-Normal. The Council’s goal is to remove barriers to learning and give every student the chance to achieve success through education. One of its main pillars of focus is meeting the physical needs of students. These needs can often stand in the way of academic achievement.

“It is our responsibility to take care of the children in our community. I would want help available for my kids if I was not able to provide for them directly,” Jimenez said. “We need to pay it forward!” 

Hats & Mittens serves Minnetonka and surrounding communities in the same way. Founder Rebecca Sundquist's team raises money and collects thousands of hats and mittens for homeless children. Their work also increases awareness of smaller and emerging non-profits serving children.

“If a child sees the world as a warm and welcoming place, they can survive and thrive.” Sundquist said. “When they feel physically and emotionally cold, they can get lost in a cycle of despair. At Hats & Mittens, our mission is to warm bodies and hearts - creating a more welcoming world for kids everywhere.”

State Farm agrees. It encourages its employees and agents, like Axel, to participate in its Good Neighbor Grant and Matching Gift Programs.

The company also encourages everyone to turn caring into doing through the Neighborhood of Good. Find and volunteer for the causes that matter to you – right in your neighborhood.

“We’re always evaluating how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Minnesota,” said State Farm Agency Vice President Matt Steele. “Lower than expected expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The effective date for new and renewal business is Feb.18, 2019. Wisconsin customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease, combined with discounts, offers exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

Beforehand, the crowd was introduced to Lt. Cmdr. Bill Connell. They heard a little bit about his story and watched him raise the U.S. flag before the National Anthem. They applauded, placed their hands over their hearts and sang along to the Star-Spangled Banner.

Then, the fans went about watching a ballgame in America. Wearing his World War II veteran cap and his decades-old leather flight jacket, so did the 94-year-old naval aviator.

They heard a small piece of William’s story. But the entire epic episode is why monuments are built, books are written and movies are filmed.

Just before dawn on July 4, 1944, Bill, a 19-year-old pilot, and his partner took off on his first bombing mission. His assignment was to take out a radio station on the small island Chichijima several hundred miles south of Japan.

Bill’s first bombing mission was about to end. It would be his last.

Land-based, anti-aircraft fire ripped the tail of his plane away. He ejected himself from the aircraft and plummeted into the Pacific. Bill never knew for sure what happened to his partner. But he imagines.

Bill floated in those waters for almost an hour until Japanese rescue boats showed up and took him prisoner. Hell started about then. He was tied to a palm tree, hanging from his arms from sundown to sun up. Then a second tree, then a third.

“They worked me over pretty good,” Bill says.

Bill spent 15 months total as a prisoner of war, including during the bombing of Tokyo. “I spent months being questioned,” Bill says. “They were sure I knew something.”

The Marines liberated that POW camp as the war was coming to a close, and Bill was finally sent home, “hop-skipping in a four-engine plane across the Pacific for weeks,” he says. The Navy allowed him a telegram home, but limited him to four words. His words were beautiful, poignant and so very efficient: “Well Happy Flying Home.”

He finally landed in Oakland, Calif. Then it was off to his hometown of Seattle where he spent the better part of a year in the hospital recovering from his injuries.

Despite struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bill stayed true to the Navy after the war. He continued as a pilot and was stationed in Japan, Guam and finally Minneapolis. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medals.

He spent the next 23 years as a State Farm^® agent in Bloomington, Minn. He has outlived two wives and all four of his children. His granddaughter, Laura, is his caretaker.

Bill has been back to Chichijima several times, including once with President George H.W. Bush, who was also shot down near the island.

Gary Gilbertson, a 30-year State Farm agent who now works in Bill’s former office, helped organize the event at the baseball game to honor Bill.

“He raised the flag in hand-over-hand fashion,” says Gary. “He was wearing his leather bomber jacket, a World War II veteran cap and they had him on the big screen for everyone to see. And he saluted the flag at the end. The whole stadium stood and applauded. It was such an awe-inspiring moment.”

“It was the thrill of a lifetime,” says Bill. “I actually did raise the flag and then they escorted me to my seat and I sat and watched the ballgame.”

Julie Chapman is another State Farm agent who was on hand to witness it.

“It was powerful,” she says. “There were grown men with tears coming down their cheeks.”

If weather conditions are likely to produce hail you can take steps around the home like moving cars, boats, RVs, lawn and patio furniture into a covered area.

Personal safety is a number one priority and if you are indoors when a hailstorm hits, stay there. Hail can shatter windows so close drapes, blinds or window shades in an attempt to reduce the amount of broken glass that might blow inside. Stay away from skylights and doors.

You don’t need a big pocketbook to give. You don’t need a ton of free time to volunteer. You just need a big heart and a willingness to help. And 10 year old Minnesotan Sanya Pirani has those in spades.

When Sanya was just seven years old she watched a YouTube video about the life of children after war. She saw kids her own age without clothes, shoes and other basic necessities. All things she couldn’t imagine living without; things she took for granted. From that point, she felt compelled to help others.

“Sanya wanted a popular doll for a long time, so I gave her a little more than $100 to buy one,” Dilshad, Sanya’s mother, reminisced. Sanya felt uncomfortable buying an expensive doll when millions of children didn’t have enough to eat.

Eight year-old Sanya used the doll money and bought 100 pieces of candy. She sold them for five dollars each, making $500. She donated all the money towards feeding a village of 700 people through Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). “She hoped that by the end of 2017 she could finish feeding the entire village of 700 people for one year” Dilshad continued.

Soon after, Sanya found out from the county commissioner the local Crisis Nursery (an organization that helps parents who are dealing with emergencies such as a sudden illness, housing problems, divorce or separation, or financial strains, may need time to resolve the crisis) needed help.

She channeled her artistic abilities and made bookmarks. She sold them at her mom’s work, school and soccer practice. After two months, she made $500 and donated every last penny to charity.

The young humanitarian soon realized she couldn’t save the world on her own, she needed a team. Sanya‘s teacher and principal allowed her to speak to the entire third grade class. Under Sanya’s leadership, the class ended up raising nearly $2,300 for charity. Sanya herself fundraised more than $24,000.

The following year, she partnered with her strongest supporter yet. Her mother’s State Farm insurance agent. Dilshad was meeting with Erik Westrum when he asked her, “Where do you need us?” It’s the former professional hockey player turned insurance agent’s unofficial motto.

“Erik mentioned his work to fight Parkinson’s disease and asked if I was involved in the community. It’s something he asks all of his customers because he wants to support causes we care about,” shared Dilshad.

“Many of my customers volunteer but I was touched and inspired by Sanya and her family,” Erik said with a big smile. “She is an amazing young girl and I knew I wanted to help her help others.” Erik continues to provide donations to Sanya to help her build upon her efforts.

Sanya, with help from Erik and hundreds like him, is still actively helping the local and global community. The preteen has a close relationship with the local Community Action Partnership (CAP) agency raising more than $5000 for the nonprofit. She also ran a successful food school supply drive with local libraries. Globally, she has raised nearly $27,000 for FMSC and more than $2000 for world church services and Aga Khan Foundation.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. Sanya has won awards from the local CAP, was the only child recognized on National Philanthropic Day, and received a Certificate of Recognition from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.

Be like Sanya. Do something, anything – big or small that makes a positive difference in your community. Be grateful for what you have and help those who are less fortunate. Please feel free to visit Sanya’s social pages (see above) to support her so she can continue to help those who need it the most.

Technological and mechanical advancements have decreased serious workplace accidents or deaths over the years. However, these accidents still occur and often put a family’s strength and finances to the test.

Kids' Chance of America, a national nonprofit, provides educational opportunities and scholarships to the children of workers seriously injured or killed on the job. This support can make all the difference.

Moving Forward and Giving Back

Tressa and Mikaela both lost a parent at the age of 17. Tressa lost her mom and Mikaela lost her dad – both to vehicle crashes while on the job.

Mikaela

The youngest of three sisters, Mikaela was halfway through her senior year when her dad was rear-ended by a semi-truck. He was rushed to the hospital in St. Cloud, MN, and passed away three days later.

Knowing how important her going to college was to her parents, Mikaela found the strength to continue. She already had an interest in becoming a nurse and wanted to pursue that passion.

A counselor provided Mikaela with a SFM Foundation scholarship application. Supported by State Farm, SFM is a Kids Chance affiliate in the upper Midwest.  It was a bittersweet fit for Mikaela’s university needs.

Mikaela applied for the scholarship and was awarded support each year until her college graduation in 2014. She now works as a nurse in the ICU where her father was cared for during his last days.

“It feels good to be there working with the people who were so compassionate to my family,” Mikaela said.

Tressa

Tressa’s mom passed away five and a half years ago while taking employee mail across the street during a work day. She was hit by a car that didn’t see her. Tressa was also the youngest child and had always planned to go to college.

“Not going to school didn’t cross my mind. I was in shock and the best thing to do was to just keep going,” Tressa said.

She received a scholarship through the SFM Foundation and went to college to become a teacher. She will begin her career as a teacher this fall.

Gratitude Fuels their Future

Both women are grateful for the support from the SFM Foundation. It was instrumental to them persevering and achieving their goals. They want to share the wisdom developed from their experiences to help others. They plan to do so through their professional roles and in service to the foundation. 

“It’s so rewarding to develop relationships with my students and make a difference in their lives,” Tressa said. “No matter what happens outside of school, they know they can come to school to be safe and feel loved.”

Mikaela’s experiences have helped her relate to families who visit the ICU. She draws upon her own past to provide the patient- and family-centered care that adds comfort during tough times.

Mikaela has also joined the board of directors for SFM Foundation. She wants to help spread the word about the youth scholarship opportunity. She’s advising the organization on new avenues to reach others facing similar circumstances. In fact, she’s recommended hospitals as a place to share information about the available scholarships.

These young women have overcome much and are grateful for the support received. They persevered, have successfully started meaningful careers and are now stronger adults. They are sharing their stories and giving back to their communities as an example for others.

(For an interactive version of the map below showing scholarship affiliates and contact details, click on the image or the related link in the left navigation bar.)

The High School for the Recording Arts (HSRA) aka “Hip Hop High School” in St. Paul, Minnesota lives and breathes this concept. With financial help from State Farm, they know how to motivate students through music. They use music to teach the basics - reading, writing and math - allowing kids to better understand.

It all starts like any other classroom, textbooks and studying. But instead of a test, students take the lessons and write music about it. Students get studio time in the school’s state of the art facility keeping them focused on learning.

HRSA students recently took courses about budgets, credit cards and how to save for the future from the nonprofit, Make a Difference.

The HRSA youth took what they learned and created music to share their knowledge with their peers. The songs not only shared important financial tips, but are a fun, unique way to learn.

Challenging students to channel their passions into something positive can lead to amazing results. Listening to the songs, you wouldn’t guess kids ages 17-21, were the writers, talent and producers. Click here to listen to their tracks.

Make a Difference Wisconsin and Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest plan to weave these songs into their classrooms. These songs will bring new energy to financial literacy classes and events.

“As an organization that teaches kids financial literacy, the songs created by these talented young people bring a freshness and relevancy to this important topic that will help us educate and inspire the next generation,” Ryan Stauff, Vice President of Corporate development from Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest shared.

These students are using their passions to learn important concepts. And their songs are inspiring and engaging other teens with their messages too.

“It takes a village to raise children.” How many times does one hear that phrase in a lifetime? Imagine raising a successful individual without the support of friends, family and acquaintances along the way to offer their advice and expertise. Think about it for a minute. Northfield, Minnesota figured out just how important caring adults can be in the lives of youth, so they set up Northfield Promise, a Healthy Community Initiative (HCI).

Through this effort, the group has pulled together resources to support Americorps Promise Fellows in the schools, coordinate a citywide after-school network, offer scholarships to low-income youth to participate in sports, and provide mini-grants for youth-designed community engagement initiatives. Since 1993, they have been strengths-based in their approach; seeking partners who see possibilities, and are similarly committed to data and outcomes, all of which has resulted in a history of success in securing funding.

And their success shows. Persistence and a positive approach have helped the district improve its graduation rates, and serve as a role model for other areas of the state.

Leslie V. was lucky enough to be a product of this success. Leslie heard about the program from her fifth grade teacher. She had been a part of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and felt her involvement in Northfield’s Promise would help her give back and help others in similar situations.

Leslie shared, “Volunteering with Northfield Promise allows me to broaden my leadership skills by learning from our community leaders. I look up to other members of the Reading Team and have learned so much from them already. Northfield Promise has also given me the opportunity to be a role model for younger kids.”

Northfield is just one area of the state that is working toward increasing high school graduation rates and collaborates closely with Minnesota Alliance with Youth to share best practices and learn how the state and nation as a whole can help more young people complete their high school education. As time goes on, graduation rates for students of all backgrounds and ethnicities has been increasing and a goal of 90% by 2020 has been set.

“In Minnesota, we share a common vision of success for our youth; one in which all youth are highly connected to their communities, have hope for a brighter future, and are able to fulfill their dreams,” shared President/CEO of Minnesota Alliance with Youth Sarah Dixon. “We know that by 2020 74% of all jobs will require a high school diploma or more, and we are committed to ensuring that graduation and employment success is achievable for every youth in our great state!”

Finding the first job out of college or technical school is tough. It can be a stressful time filled with complicated decisions like picking the right type of company and choosing the right first job.

There is also a lot of competition. Internships can be a great way for students to determine whether a career or a company are the right fit. It also helps them gain real-world skills and experience to stand apart from their peers.

Internships for high school students can be hard to find. Luckily, for student Mai Vang, the STEP-UP Achieve program at AchieveMpls provides paid internships each year for 600 youth ages 16-21. More than 160 business in the area participate by providing jobs and mentoring for these young people. STEP-UP Achieve not only helps kids find internships, it also offers work-readiness courses to learn about the world of work.

Mai was lucky to have a sister, Kao Xue, a STEP-UP Achieve alumna, who suggested she join the program to explore careers.

Since Mai was 14 when she started, she did not have any work experience or training. Luckily, this is not a requirement to find an internship through STEP-UP Discover, the sister program of STEP-UP Achieve for younger students. She joined Teen Teamworks and worked with other teens to take care of several local parks.

For the next three summers, Mai gained a wide range of on-the-job experience through STEP-UP Achieve and explored different careers. She tried graphic design and then pursued other jobs, finally landing with the Mary Trondson State Farm^® agency.

Mary's office helped Mai build her customer service skills. "I loved it," Mai says. "I feel more comfortable now interacting with customers over the phone, collecting payments, and setting appointments."

Mai also helped Mary's office build stronger relationships with Hmong clients by translating customers' needs and concerns. Mary shared, "Mai was a great asset to us during her time with State Farm. Customers really enjoyed working with her and asked for her often!"

These many different internship experiences led Mai to begin her journey at the University of Minnesota this fall. She plans to learn more about business and financial services.

"I would tell other teens to start young." Mai says, when asked what advice she would offer t other high school students. "I didn't know anything about the different jobs available to me. STEP-UP Achieve helped me build my resume and get the training I needed to help me on my way."

Sharing Time, Treasures and Talents

A charismatic leader has his team’s rapt attention as he introduces their next project, one with an international focus. He calls on a team member to help define how the work supports the team’s mission. He provides positive feedback by acknowledging the team member’s contribution. He reiterates goals and provides clear direction on how to begin.

Finally, he rallies the team to tackle their work with an enthusiastic, “let’s make it a great meeting, ok!”

This leader isn’t a motivational expert giving a TED talk or a successful CEO or entrepreneur. He’s a fifth grader - addressing members of the Service Club he started at his school three years ago to help his peers and community.

The project is “plarn” - a process that uses plastic bags as “yarn” to create mats and rugs. The children make plarn balls out of plastic bags they collect. The group sendssend the plarn to women in Uganda who will use it to create items for their homes.

Shrey G. Pothini is no ordinary young man.

Shrey, who just turned 11, is already making a positive impact in his community – and across the globe. He is defying assumptions adults may have for a boy his age.

The preteen started the Service Club at Harriett Bishop Elementary in Savage, MN, to help his peers feel a sense of belonging within their school and community by participating in leadership and philanthropy. With Shrey’s leadership, interest in the club – and the club’s reach – has grown tremendously.

“I’m really excited we have kindergartners through sixth graders participating in the club,” exclaimed Shrey. “Over half of the 100 club members are kindergartners through third graders. We include their siblings too if they want to join in on our projects. We may be young, but we are also a very powerful group!”

This enthusiasm drove Shrey’s desire to find a way for other young kids to get involved in service opportunities before junior high. With help from his mother, Seema, Shrey applied for a grant to expand the club to the nine other elementary schools in his school district.

The project so impressed the State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB), they agreed to help Shrey expand the club. The YAB gave Shrey’s school $25,000 to cover expenses to establish additional clubs.

As the rest of the district joins in, Shrey continues to lead his peers toward meaningful work, allowing them to share their time, treasures and talents. Club members have:

• educated their peers about global children’s rights,

• sent educational supplies to schools in Guatemala,

• created poetry art for a nursing home, and

• helped students empower themselves by learning self-defense.

   

View INFOGRAPHIC of Harriet Bishop Elementary Service Club Impact

“Students who are in the club are looking at their daily life differently and beginning to identify ways they can help other people,” Principal Erika Nesvig shared.

For other schools considering implementing a similar club, Nesvig recommends the club be student-led and considers projects that go beyond raising money for a cause.

“When the students had to grow their hair to make wigs, or when they collected stuffed animals for donation, it had a greater impact on them and helped them feel a greater sense of reward,” stated Nesvig.

We need more young people like Shrey Pothini, and more groups like the Service Club, to help make our world better. Clubs like Shrey’s help kids learn empathy for others and give them a better sense of how they fit into the larger global community.

Learning this is a huge step toward becoming adults who care about giving back. Be like Shrey and do something today to make a difference!

Which is why second grade teacher Roger Ebnet wanted to do something about the deteriorating local ball field.

“Sections [of the fencing] were out of the ground, leaning against other pieces, poles totally disconnected, chicken wire from who knows when, rusted and hanging from the top,” said Ebnet. “It was just crazy. It was kind of a mess.”

And in some cases, more than a mess. “We definitely [had] some safety issues on the fields,” said Barb Schwarz, Chairman of the Benson Baseball Association.

The condition of the field was hardly a surprise, given the complex’s heavy use and the fact it is well into its fourth decade of use by many teams and organizations.

“Not only do our students use it for our high school sports and junior high sports, but our community education programs use it, our town baseball team uses it, Legion, [and] VFW,” said Shannon Schmidt, activities director at Benson High School.

But what to do?

Ebnet started researching options and found the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program, which gives $25,000 grants to organizations and programs that build stronger communities.

The top 40 grant recipients are determined by a popular vote online, so Ebnet, after submitting a proposal, became a one-man publicity machine rallying his small community of 3,000 to get online and vote.

And how does a community win according to Ebnet? “You get the newspaper involved, get the radio station involved, give flyers to the grocery stores,” he said. “Soon the entire community knew about the effort and started voting.”

It paid off. Benson was the top vote-getter, and in the summer of 2014, work began to bring the facilities up to date.

Today Benson’s fields feature new fencing and other improvements. But the best part, said Ebnet, is the sense of solidarity and togetherness the effort created.

“Sure we had an end benefit – we were going to get our fields fixed,” Ebnet said. “But at the same time, we were pulling our community together to rally around one cause. And if you talk to anybody about the grant, they say ‘it helped OUR fields.’ Not their fields, or the baseball community’s fields.”