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.

But her life changed forever in February. She now loves that she has the opportunity to learn to walk, and run, again.

Tina, a former State Farm^® employee, was shot seven times by her estranged husband. At least one of those shots was to the head.

After some marital problems, Tina separated from her husband. He attempted to win her back numerous times. When he realized she was planning to pursue a divorce, he attacked her at her home.

“I was getting ready for work when he kicked the door in and came into my house,” Tina says. “He told me no one else could have me, and then he began shooting.”

Tina was in the hospital for 19 days, followed by inpatient recovery for six weeks, including reconstructive surgery on her hand. She then completed four weeks of outpatient work, and continues to have intensive physical rehabilitation three hours a day, three days a week.

“When I first woke up, I couldn’t feel anything below my waist,” says Tina. “Now I’m walking with a walker. I’m hoping in the next six months I’ll be back to walking on my own. I want to return to being a fitness instructor and a runner.”

The first two years of rehabilitation are when patients experience the most improvements, so Tina is hoping to make the most of her next two years. Tina ran six half-marathons in 2017. “In 2020, my goal is to run 12 half-marathons.”

Tina knows she has a lot of recovery ahead of her, but she’s celebrating her rehabilitation and the first responders who saved her.

“My niece wanted to do something for me, and she suggested we do a benefit race during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” Tina says. “I loved the idea. It benefits the North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network Inc. and the Cherokee Family Violence Center in Canton, Ga.”

The event included a 5K run, a 1-mile fun run, games and face painting. Tina shared her story and thanked the paramedic, EMT and police officers who helped save her during her domestic violence attack.

“It went well. We had 281 runners. I participated in the 1-mile run. I did most of it my wheelchair, but I walked across the finish line,” Tina says.