Our overall reduction amounts to more than $250 million in lower total annual premiums for our Texas customers (private passenger cars), averaging more than $60 in savings per vehicle. This amounts to combined auto rate decreases of more than 7% in the last five months for Texas drivers. Recent trends involving less costly automobile damage claims have allowed State Farm to lower auto rates.

In addition to the auto insurance rate reductions, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm Mutual) also announced it is paying cash back to mutual auto customers through a dividend. Eligible State Farm Mutual auto customers in Texas who had a policy in 2025 will receive an average payment of $105 per vehicle. The payments will vary by premiums paid. We encourage customers to contact their agent to discuss additional ways to save even more.

Learn more about how State Farm is reducing auto rates across the country by visiting our newsroom and how the company is giving cash back to auto customers in our recent dividend announcement.

 

Hurricane Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday morning near Matagorda, Texas with sustained winds of 80 mph. 

Customer Response Unit (CRU)

The State Farm Customer Response Unit (CRU) has deployed and is on the ground in Houston responding to support residents during the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.  CRU team members are driving around the impacted neighborhoods and handing out needed items such as bottled water, first aid kits and work gloves to anyone who needs it. 

The CRU team responds immediately following a disaster and navigates throughout impacted communities to provide in-person contact and friendly support. State Farm is there to support residents during this first and critical step on the road to recovery.  

Catastrophe Customer Care Sites

Catastrophe Customer Care Sites were established in the Houston Metro area, where home and auto claim handlers were onsite to assist policyholders with claim handling needs.

In addition to the teams of catastrophe claim specialists on the ground to evaluate damage, our Beryl response includes State Farm agents who live and work in the same neighborhoods as our customers. They are joined by thousands of employees in centralized care centers across the country virtually helping answer customers’ questions and file their claims. Our remote claim teams are able to conduct virtual inspections with impacted customers following the storm, helping them in their time of need.

Claim filing options for those with damage from Beryl

As residents discover damage from the storm, they are encouraged to file their claim as soon as possible to begin recovery. State Farm customers can submit and manage their claim through various channels: submitting a claim through our mobile app, calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, through our website at statefarm.com/claims, or text the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.  

Use of technology to reach customers in more ways

State Farm is making the most of technology to reach customers in more ways and make the process of resolving claims even faster and easier:

• Digital pay options allow for claim settlements to be direct-deposited into customers' bank accounts, getting funds to customers more quickly, whether or not banks are open.
• Customers are encouraged to use the State Farm Mobile App and online account access for many self-service options such as filing and tracking claims, uploading documents during the claims process, requesting emergency roadside service, setting up a rental car reservation and setting up digital pay. 

Tips for clean-up, recovery & claims process

When it is safe to do so, residents with property damage should have reasonable temporary repairs made to prevent further damage to their property to remove debris and cover any openings created by the storm. Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps and plywood or other supplies to make repairs. Keep track of the time and money you spend protecting your property.

• Document and photograph everything! To assist with the insurance claim process, be sure to document items that are damaged. You can do this by providing purchase receipts for the damaged items, photographing the items and by making a room-by-room inventory of missing or damaged goods. Don’t discard or repair anything prior to reporting the claim.
• If you decide to use a contractor, get a receipt for the cost of labor and materials to give your claim representative. Don't have any repair work done until you discuss with your claim representative. Also, preserve all building materials removed by any contractor or vendor until you speak with State Farm.
• Be careful before signing anything without fully reading the documents. Be diligent before signing anything with a vendor or contractor that solicits you directly and advises you to file a homeowner’s claim.

A total of approximately 5,500 home and auto claims have been reported across nine states from the string of storms (date range April 26-28) as for 4:00pm CT on April 30, 2024: 

To provide the best possible service and response to customers who have damage from the tornado, the following are in place: 

• Catastrophe claims adjusters and support members are deploying and arriving on-site. Catastrophe claim teams will be actively making contact and providing initial claim handling efforts for our impacted customers with a focus on the most severe losses. Catastrophe Customer Care sites are being planned in the most impacted communities to support claim handling efforts for local residents, additional details will be shared as available.
• The 1-800-SFCLAIM line is activated and available for customers to begin the claim reporting process, should they be unable to reach their local State Farm agent. 
• State Farm policyholders who have damage can submit and manage their claim through various channels. This includes calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, submitting a claim through our mobile app or through our website at statefarm.com/claims. Customers may also text the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.

Making temporary repairs to damaged property:

When it is safe to do so, people with repairable/limited property damage should have reasonable temporary repairs made to prevent further damage to their property. Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps and plywood or other supplies to make repairs.   

Are you sitting down?

If that’s how a conversation starts, it doesn’t usually end well. But in Shauntona Wagner’s case, it ended with four pounds, eight ounces of tenacity named Benjamin.

Shauntona, a Texas-based State Farm employee, was working from home in mid-October when she got a call from her son-in-law’s mother with some shocking news.

Her oldest daughter and son-in-law were arrested. Her daughter was transferred from jail to a hospital where she had, and then left, a baby.

No one knew the couple was expecting. The couple both suffer from drug addiction and Shauntona hadn’t heard from them in years.

Shauntona’s 6-year-old, autistic, non-verbal grandson was being raised by the other grandma, who had recently lost her husband. She told Shauntona she could not take on another child.

“I knew right then and there we had to take the baby. But we thought about it for a couple of days as a family then reached out to the social worker,” Shauntona said. “Born premature, and drug exposed, he experienced withdrawals, which are especially painful for newborns."

“The very first day we spent with Benjamin he improved drastically. He got back to birth weight and never needed oxygen,” Shauntona continued. “We were expecting him to stay another week in the hospital after we started spending time with him, but he was released two days later.”

The Wagners brought their new grandbaby home just before Halloween; after two weeks in the NICU. Their youngest child was 18 so they no longer had any of the necessary baby items. They quickly bought diapers, a few onesies and a pack ‘n’ play.

Thankfully their State Farm family came to the rescue. From coast to coast, colleagues past and present were busy online shopping for the rest of the baby essentials.

“It was a complete surprise! Not just current teammates, but people I hadn’t worked with in years gave gifts,” Shauntona shared. “We were so touched by their kindness, we took four Giving Tree wish lists to keep paying it forward.”

Shauntona is also eternally grateful for Benjamin’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and the Warren Center, which serves children and families impacted by developmental delays and disabilities. The Wagners hope to adopt Ben legally when he turns 1. Until then, he has a volunteer CASA advocating for his needs, the specialists at the Warren Center and his grandparents.

State Farm employees are among the nearly 100,000 CASA volunteers in the U.S. One is Patti McKendry, also of the Dallas area.

“We meet with the child, the schools and hospitals, and provide guidance to the courts and judges on the best plan for the child,” Patti said. “Given what we learn and experience, it can be quite emotional at times but it is so rewarding to be that one person who is solely concerned and focused on that child.”

Patti says the training is around 30 hours, but it’s a manageable commitment. She has shared her CASA story with others inside and outside of State Farm and looks to inspire others to become CASAs. Patti and Shauntona hope others will be motivated so more children can benefit from CASA services.

“We've settled into our sleepless, yet beautiful routine with our little guy,” Shauntona shared. “And he’s thriving! He's grown from 4.5 pounds to 7 pounds in three weeks.”

Sometimes, it really does take a village.

October 1, State Farm® will serve as the exclusive insurance provider for Lyft and their drivers and passengers in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, S. Carolina and Tennessee.

Under the policy, Lyft drivers are covered from the moment a driver turns on the Lyft app to wait for a trip request, while driving to pick up a rider and until the trip ends. Lyft riders are also protected during the trip.

State Farm History Supporting TNC (Transportation Network Companies) Drivers
 

• 2015: State Farm worked with others to set consistent and modern insurance regulation for TNC services. It supported the growing industry and created a framework to protect consumers.
   
• 2016: State Farm launches the Rideshare Endorsement. It is now available in 46 states and the District of Columbia. With the endorsement, State Farm customers extend their personal auto policy to fill coverage gaps.
   
• 2019, State Farm worked directly with Lyft to provide direct insurance coverage to Lyft drivers and riders in Georgia, Texas and Arizona. 

Working with Lyft allows State Farm to meet today’s insurance needs and explore future opportunities. It brings nearly 100 years of insurance experience to protect Lyft drivers and riders from the unexpected.

Several individuals at UT Dallas nominated State Farm. They cited the company's overall demonstrated commitment to diversity.

State Farm grant funding at UTD supports a diverse cross-section of university programs and groups. The programs support veterans, women in STEM and minority low/moderate income students. Scholarships, student emergency grants including student veteran emergency financial suppport, and food and financial security programs are some examples. The result is a positive impact on a diverse student population.

Vice President Operations Eileen Flynn accepted the award on behalf of State Farm. Eileen is an active member the University's Naveen Jindal School of Management Advisory Council.

Link to the full program

Teachers didn’t have a choice. Nearly all the Teacher Assist applications acknowledged the emotional challenges posed by the pandemic. Some took it a step further and sought an assist that would help their students address the mental strain many of us have been feeling.

“It’s a huge challenge to manage stress and engagement while learning. My school’s students have been taught on Zoom since last March,” said Monyca Currier. “Many of our families have been affected traumatically by Covid-19 – social isolation, death, sickness, loss of jobs and income – the list goes on and on. The repercussions won’t go away overnight. Students need to learn coping skills not only for the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but also coping skills for everyday life.”

Teacher Assist grants will be funding mindful breathing and movement, social and emotional support tools and resources, and even a therapy dog! Read how these winning projects will help bolster students’ mental well-being long after the pandemic ends. And it’s not just the kids – these projects will impact their entire school communities!

Monyca Currier (Monte Verde Elementary School – San Bruno, California)

Monyca has been exposing her third graders to mindfulness concepts all year. Her grant will allow her to complete 200 hours of Breathe for Change training. She’ll earn certification to allow her to teach yoga and the program’s other strategies and techniques not only to her students, but to other teachers and adults – expanding the social-emotional wellness and learning experiences beyond just her classroom.

“While I am in the early stages of my coursework, I've been teaching mindfulness and breathing techniques all year,” Monyca said. “My students have learned that when they feel nervous or anxious about something, they should pause and take a few deep breaths. It’s helped them develop a stronger growth mindset and the ability to self-regulate some of their emotions and behaviors.”

Ryan Ledlow (Northern High School – Portage, Michigan)

Ryan is using his grant funds for a second Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) therapy dog. It will join @hobbsthehuskie to address the social-emotional needs of students (and staff).

Hobbs, a golden retriever, has made a huge positive impact since coming to the school from Paws with a Cause.

“The pandemic has been very difficult for students (and staff.) Hobbs has provided social-emotional support, and truly does make people feel better,” Ryan said. “I start every day by saying to Hobbs, ‘Let's go make some smiles!’ He does that very thing all day.”

Research shows in addition to helping decrease anxiety and improve physical well-being, SEL dogs help ease social isolation and help students learn social skills and gain confidence.

Incidentally, Paws With a Cause provides dogs for the State Farm Arson Dog Program.

Terry Tucker (Lancaster ISD – Lancaster, Texas)

As the school’s guidance counselor, Terry Tucker has noticed the negative impact the pandemic has had on his students. He realizes they need more social-emotional learning (SEL) support, especially the African-American and at-risk students.

Even before the pandemic, emotional and social learning has been his focus and students in his at-risk school have benefited immensely.

“Negative experiences of our at-risk students create trauma needs. They often act out to get any kind of attention,” Terry said. “When we focus on supporting their emotional and social wellness, we see test grades go up. When you see those positive results, it’s addictive.”

He is using his Teacher Assist grant funds to expand that impact through the purchase of the SEL curriculum resource, School Connect. It will help students tackle real world problems through learning inter/intrapersonal skills, mindfulness and emotional management.

In addition to classroom activities, students can access the resource anytime virtually. The program’s tools allow them to take positive ownership in the areas of character, self-awareness, anger management, showing empathy, responsible decision making, social awareness and relationship skills.

Terry is excited to be able to offer the platform in the coming school year. It will help students understand and define their feelings. That helps them put a name to what they are feeling. With tools to practice at-home coping scenarios, students become less stressed and more self-regulated.

For teachers, lesson plans address bullying, self-worth, self-esteem and respect. The focus is on life skill development, problem solving and goal-setting that will set up students to deal with whatever life throws at them.

Join the conversation on Yammer!

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 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,” says 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 August 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.

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.”

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

The rate reduction applies to current customers at policy renewal, as well as new and returning customers.

In addition, 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 Texas 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.

As a way to express solidarity and thanks to these critical front-line workers, instead of our signature red, we're shining blue.

The lights are part of a nationwide effort to show support. Our Marina Heights hub in Arizona was the first to “Light it Blue” in response to a call by Governor Ducey. We’ve since extended the visible salute to the Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois, Park Center hub in Atlanta, and CityLine hub in Dallas. The lights will be lit from dusk to dawn for the next several weeks.

“We want all on the frontlines of this crisis to know how much we care about them,” said Jenny Greminger, Vice President – Administrative Services. "We appreciate their sacrifices to keep us safe and healthy."

Blue light represents calm, faith, trust and helps elevate mood. We hope when essential workers – and others in the community - see the lights they feel uplifted.

In addition to the blue lighting, State Farm has donated millions to nonprofit organizations in direct support of COVID-19 relief efforts.

Food pantries have long known the impact peanut butter can have. It's a prized addition to their shelves.

For the past three years, State Farm employees have stepped up to help meet that need. In February, more than 33,500 pounds of peanut butter were donated at our hubs and operations centers. The total surpassed last year’s total by more than 10,000 pounds.

Local organizations in several locations across the country received donations in early March.

Not too long after, COVID-19 shuttered our offices and much of the country. Now, with resources scarce and more people than ever relying food banks, the peanut butter will make an even bigger impact.

Ashley Edling is the Food Panty volunteer and programs manager for the Network of Community Ministries in Dallas. It’s one of 13 agencies that received peanut butter from this year’s drive.

“Shelf stable items like peanut butter provide a lasting effect. We can distribute it to families for weeks after the initial donation," Ashley said.

Some of the Atlanta Hub employees’ donation went to Georgia State University’s food pantry. Many in the university’s student population face unique challenges including food insecurity. There State Farm LIFT Scholars, who receive scholarship support from State Farm, helped stock the pantry’s shelves.

“Philanthropy can have an amplifying effect. The peanut butter donation allowed our LIFT Scholars to give back and support others facing difficult circumstances,” said Heath Wood, Senior Director Corporate and Foundation Relations, Georgia State University.

“It showed them the resources, education, and attitude necessary to succeed in the face of the challenges they’ll face in life.”

Peanut Butter Drive Highlights:

• Phoenix Hub employees collected 10,526 pounds of peanut butter. It was donated to Midwest Food Bank, United Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank.
• Atlanta employees collected and donated 7,255 pounds of peanut butter. It went to the Midwest Food Bank of Georgia and the Georgia State University Panther Pantry.
• Employees from the Bloomington campus collected 6,313 pounds of peanut butter that went to the Midwest Food Bank of Bloomington-Normal.
• In Dallas, 8,467 pounds of peanut butter was donated to the Network of Community Ministries’ food pantry and the Richland College and the UT Dallas campus food pantries.
• State Farm Operations Centers in Austin, Charlottesville, Lincoln, and Newark collected over 1,021 pounds of peanut butter for their local food banks.

“It had been weighing on my heart to do something good, and I wanted it to be something that could involve my department,” the State Farm^® employee says. “We’re all so busy, but I wanted to build the team environment and do something good for the community.”

Kate’s brother-in-law serves in the Army. On deployments, Kate and her family would send him care packages.

“He always said how much he cared about getting those.”

Friends of the family have suffered from childhood cancers, and learning the joy a simple card or gift would bring those children touched Kate.

Kate set up a station to create cards for deployed soldiers and hospitalized children at a table in the department. She invited employees to take time to write or design notes of encouragement or appreciation.

“It’s something we could do at the office during huddles. I suggested it could be a good stress-reliever,” she says about the note that went to all of her co-workers. “When I sent the note, people reached out and thanked me for doing this because they felt like we could touch more people with a collective act.”

Kate set a goal of 100 cards by the end of June. Her department surpassed that goal, creating 169 unique cards.

“Not sure how artistic they really are, but I was able to use my imagination, de-stress and hopefully bring a little bit of cheer to deserving people.”

Kate plans to send the cards for soldiers to Operation Gratitude to be distributed to soldiers, per her brother-in-laws suggestion. For the children’s cards, Kate decided on Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas.

“People said making the cards is a stress reliever, because when you feel good about something you’re doing, it makes you happy,” Kate says. “It’s been such a special project for our department and I know it struck a chord with many people.”

On the evening of June 9, 2015, veterinarian, Kenneth Kimbrough, wrapped up his last appointment, said goodbye to his staff, and went home.

“It was business as usual, until the fire department called. Kimbrough Animal Hospital was in flames.”

The doctor and his wife arrived on the scene to find their clinic fully engulfed.

“My biggest fear - the animals inside,” said Kimbrough. “I ran to the kennel. People were shouting, ‘It’s dangerous, don’t go in!’ But I couldn’t stop. I began taking animals out. Started administering CPR on the lawn. I had to get their lungs full of something besides smoke. I had to turn it around.”

Thirty-eight animals perished that night. Only two boxers survived. Officials deemed Kimbrough Animal Hospital a total loss.

“I shared this devastating reality with my clients and the community,” said Kimbrough. “It’s numbing.”

Rebuilding from the ashes

The next day Kimbrough called his State Farm Agent, Dave Powell.

“When I began working with Dr. Kimbrough in 2000, I looked him in the eye and said, ‘On your worst day, I’m going to be there for you.’ That day had arrived,” said Powell.

Together, the pair surveyed the scene, met with the claim specialist and reviewed his policy. While the cause of the fire was never determined, officials suspected it may have started electrically, in a back office.

“As a small business owner, it’s imperative to get back up and running,” Powell explained. “Dr. Kimbrough’s coverage included business interruption which meant State Farm would reimburse his loss of income, and also provides coverage to keep his team employed during the period of restoration. His policy also covered building contents, which allowed him to buy new equipment.”

With the help of State Farm, Kimbrough Animal Hospital began to recover. The old hospital was leveled and the rebuild began. With construction underway, Kimbrough converted his nearby pet grooming facility into a mini animal hospital. Portable buildings were moved onto the grounds so staff could help more people.

“Thank goodness for small business insurance, which made it possible,” said Kimbrough. “Dave, my agent, was with me every step of the way.”

A new chapter

In March 2017, the NEW Kimbrough Animal Hospital opened its doors.

“Our former building was 4,400 square feet. Our new facility is 12,000 square feet,” said Kimbrough. “This allows us to serve customers, provide daycare and grooming, and help more pets. We also have a Fear Free certified doctor on staff, which allows us better serve the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals.”

More than two years later, the clinic is back in action. And while Kimbrough says the memories of that fateful June night will never fade, he’s grateful for the support of his friends, neighbors and the Texas community.

“Thank goodness I could do this. With Dave as my State Farm agent, I had the right coverage, my needs were met and I was guided through the process. Kimbrough Animal Hospital got a second chance.”

“I consider it an honor to be a servant leader for our small business clientele,” said Powell. “Staying in touch to ensure the coverage they have continues to meet their evolving needs ensures people are secure. Helping, it’s what we do.”

The words in books paint pictures, add depth and tell stories completely.

National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of author Ted Geisel, who we all knew growing up as Dr. Seuss. Created in 1998, the National Education Association estimates 45 million parents, students and educators across the country will participate in

a day dedicated to raising awareness and challenging children and young adults across the United States to read.

A team from State Farm^® was in Dallas for a meeting earlier this year. The team was looking to turn an act of good into a team-building opportunity.

“We wanted to spend some of our time together giving back to the local community,” says Claims Manager Rashawnda Harvey. “But when we looked at NeighborhoodofGood.com^®, there weren’t any opportunities still available over the course of the meeting.”

They were not dissuaded. They turned their search to local online news outlets. They discovered the City of Dallas was running a book donation drive to ensure children staying at Dallas Life, a Dallas homeless shelter, had books.

“Everybody coming to the meeting brought two books each,” Rashawnda says. “We had a great variety, from preschool age to young adults in high school; educational books and fun children’s stories, some history and others that featured animals.”

They presented more than 35 books to the shelter.

Dallas Life Executive Director Bob Sweeney said they often see children come to the shelter unsure why they are there. Then they sit up on a bed, open a book and become transformed to a place that lets them know they are going to be OK.

“We genuinely appreciated the opportunity to really make a difference,” Rashawnda says. “I selected children’s stories that were centered on Black History, and a fairy tale about the journey of a little girl throughout her life. I looked for books to give these children an opportunity to escape their current reality and have some fun, and a book they could identify with.”

“In a world with so much turmoil, to be able to give back to the community in such a unique and thoughtful way is what makes us human,” says Claims Manager Krista Spader. “I have three children. When my youngest leaves for school I still say things like, ‘Be Kind – Be Bold!’ and I get the older kids to be the change you want to see in the world. This reinforces in them I am walking the walk.

“The smallest gestures have the largest impact,” she adds. “Even when it is one person at a time performing one act of good at a time.”

“State Farm is always evaluating how we can best serve our customers. We are very pleased to be able to offer another auto rate decrease in Texas,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Phillip Hawkins. “Improving expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change."

Since January 2018, State Farm has lowered auto rates more than 12 percent.

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary. Rates depend on a customer’s policy and chosen coverage. Customers can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation. Additional opportunities for discounts may apply.

“I wore a uniform for 20 years,” said Ben. “Served in the military, with law enforcement, then got my technician certification and went to work in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.”

Ben says his past experiences taught him the value of working hard while helping others – factors that inspired him to start his own heating and cooling company.

“It’s called All Care Comfort Solutions,” he smiled. “Texas gets pretty hot, so it’s important air conditioners work!”

But sweltering heat isn’t the only weather condition common in Texas. The state also gets its fair share of storms.

“We had a hail storm come through and my work vehicle was in its path,” said Ben. “I had to make a claim on it. But just to get simple claim for my truck was a real chore.”

Before a frustrating situation got worse, Ben met another small business owner: State Farm agent Brian Llewellyn.

“Brian and I do charity work in the community, which is how we crossed paths,” Ben explained. “I started seeing Brian at all sorts of local functions and told him, ‘Gee, we should start riding in the same car!’”

“Ben and I struck up a conversation and I invited him to my office to evaluate his current policies,” said Brian. “As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of proper protection.”

Prior to becoming a State Farm agent, Brian worked on the State Farm Catastrophe Team – traveling across the country to help customers affected by hurricanes, wildfires, ice storms and tornadoes.

“I worked with many small business owners,” said Brian. “After suffering a devastating loss, they knew it was critical to keep the doors open. In the end, it’s not just the small business owner who’s impacted…their employees, their customers and their neighbors are affected too. Having the right insurance coverage is essential so a business can survive.”

Helping Life Go Right

Shortly after speaking with Brian, Ben met him at his office. While reviewing his policies, Brian discovered a big gap:

Ben had insurance on his work truck, but did not have coverage for the items inside it.

“I was shocked,” said Ben. “I didn’t realize if my vehicle was burglarized and everything was stolen – I would not be covered. My truck carries expensive equipment. Refrigerant parts, hand tools, power tools, pumps, gauges, manifolds, testing supplies. It’s upwards of $10,000 dollars.”

Ben decided to make a change.

“I got a Business Personal Property Policy and switched my coverage to Brian. No kidding, if my equipment was taken and I didn’t have coverage…things could turn upside down real quick. I’ve worked too hard to lose it all. That’s why I chose to work with someone I trust.”

“There’s something about the small business community – we know what’s on the line, the struggles, the challenges and the 24/7 on-the-go lifestyle,” added Brian. “It’s important to support small business owners and make sure they have what they need to be successful.”

Today, Ben has peace of mind knowing he’s protected. And, he’s offering three pieces of advice to small business owners, and anyone considering opening their own shop:

“Working with Brian is one of the best decisions I’ve made,” said Ben. “After all, the greatest insurance is the kind you don’t have to worry about. It does its job and you can do yours. Being with State Farm means I know I’m secure.”

“The company’s financial strength is allowing us to pass along rate savings to our Texas customers," said State Farm senior vice president Phillip Hawkins. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Texas.”

The changes in premiums will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy, but the average Texas customer's savings will be approximately $35 annually. New, returning and renewing customers will start seeing the savings in May.

Both are part of the ongoing “Get an agent that gets you” campaign, which demonstrates the value of having a relationship with a State Farm agent. The new films, “Teammates” and “Darkness,” give a comedic twist to the inspirational, emotional and over-stylized spots often seen during postseason play.

“Teammates” begins with Chris Paul’s inner thoughts as he ponders the meaning of team chemistry in a highly stylized world of shadowy defenders. In the end, the spot reveals he’s setting up an alley-oop for his State Farm Agent Cole Perez (played by Oscar Nunez). He dishes a no-look pass right before Cole grabs it and dunks over everyone’s head in dramatic fashion. They just get each other that well.

“Darkness” begins with Chris speaking to camera, delivering a motivational speech about his new role in Houston in a dramatic, dark setting. Suddenly, teammate James Harden interrupts by turning on the lights. We find James has disrupted a "DIY" commercial Chris and his State Farm Agent Cole are filming in the garage, showcasing a moment of comedy for fans.

Get Inside Harden’s Head

Houston Rockets Point Guard James Harden standing alongside “Get Inside Harden’s Head,” State Farm’s larger-than-life 3D installation at the Rockets Liftoff party at Toyota Center in Houston, TX on April 7, 2018.

Created to showcase what it’s like to have a State Farm agent that really gets you, fans can go inside the installation and play an interactive game to help clear Harden’s head of distractions before the big game.

The “Get An Agent That Gets You” campaign showcases how having a State Farm agent is like having someone who knows you so well and is so helpful, it feels like they’re literally inside your head.

The “Get Inside Harden’s Head” installation was an articulation of that message, customized for NBA All-Star Weekend in LA. It is also making appearances at several home games in Houston throughout the remainder of the season and playoffs.

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.

To celebrate, the company held builds in its Phoenix, Atlanta, and Dallas hub locations. More than 400 State Farm employees participated alongside four families in need. The volunteers helped revitalize a historic neighborhood and complete a Habitat townhome community.

“State Farm is proud of our relationship with Habitat for Humanity. It's helped families across the U.S. build homes to call their own,” said Ed Woods, State Farm human resources director. “The October builds helped us further that tradition while turning caring into doing.”

"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity State Farm continues to extend. It helps connect young leaders to Habitat's mission. It also helps families achieve the dream of home ownership," said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, Habitat's senior vice president of development. "We are proud of our accomplishments together."

Every October, as part of the Power of You(th)^® program, MADD joins its partners around the country to host school and community events to empower teens to make safe choices. This year’s focus, #ProtectUrFuture, is about how choices about alcohol can impact their future such as, being kicked off a sports team, not be able to attend the college of their choice or lose a college sponsorship and have an arrest on their record. Tragically there are also life-altering consequences such as alcohol poisoning and teen drunk driving.

“The decisions teens make today can impact their lives tomorrow and for years to come,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church, whose 18-year-old son Dustin was killed as a passenger in a crash caused by a teen drunk and drugged driver. “There is an urgent need in our country to address the underage drinking epidemic that causes 4,300 deaths a year, I am grateful to State Farm for helping us save young lives.”

The latest research shows:

• The number of youth drinking alcohol continue to decline since 1991, when the numbers peaked. These have declined by 70 percent, 50 percent and 30 percent for grades 8, 10 and 12. However, six out of every ten students (61 percent) have consumed alcohol (more than a few sips) by the end of high school, and 23 percent have done so by 8^th grade. Monitoring the Future, 2016
• Alcohol was a factor in an average of 492 suicides, 1,269 homicides, 245 reports of death from alcohol poisoning, falls, burns or drowning, and 1,580 deaths from motor vehicle crashes of people under the age of 21 each year from 2006 to 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013
• In 2011, 188,000 people under the age of 21 visited an emergency room because of alcohol related injuries. SAMHSA, 2014
• Research also shows that the earlier a young person begins drinking alcohol the more likely they will become alcohol dependent as adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015
• Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol related crash. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2001

“While we are heartened to see the decline in underage drinking across the nation, it also motivates us to do more,” said Lisa Joyce, State Farm Public Affairs. “We are proud of our support of MADD’s Power of You(th) to educate and protect teens and their futures, so they can fulfill all of their hopes and dreams.”

MADD’s Power of You(th) program equips teens to resist peer pressure and influence their peers to make smart, healthy decisions about not drinking alcohol before they turn 21 and to never getting in the car with anyone who has been drinking. At school events, victims share personal stories, students receive a teen booklet with real-life stories, and learn about powerofyouth.com as an important resource.

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.

Nestled away in a modest Fort Worth, TX neighborhood is the Northside Inner Community Agency (NICA). In an office filled with books and collected materials from her 16+ years as executive director, sits Connie Nahoolewa.

Connie and her staff help area parents obtain essentials, like food, fellowship and household items. Her vision and passion now also extends NICA’s mission to children. It’s helping meet their educational needs and goals. She describes the work as strengthening the community through hand-ups, not handouts.

“It’s wonderful we have the food pantry (and emergency services). Our clients and I am grateful for that,” Connie explains.

“But what the parents really wanted was a program to better their children’s chances. They know education is key. They wanted help for their children - for them to be able to graduate from high school and have access to college,” Connie recalls.

Program Creation

Knowing the agency couldn’t pay for schooling, Connie and her team created Circle of Winners.

“We pay students to help after school and during the summer. Their earnings go into a bank account that can only be used for college,” Connie explains. “They make a little money, and also get help understanding and navigating college admissions. The premise is to help the kids so they can get better jobs and not have to ask for help like their parents.”

Role Models

To earn money for college, older students help younger kids at NICA. They work with them on activities, games and crafts and outside sports; anything to encourage the young ones' desire to succeed.

Johuin Contreras is the Circle of Winners Education Coordinator. “I see how Circle of Winners students become role models. It enlightens the younger kids.”

The student-mentors and staff mirror Connie’s enthusiasm. Sierra McCarthy is a student from the University of Texas Arlington. She caught Connie’s contagious enthusiasm while working as a Circle of Winners intern and now helps lead the program.

Sierra says the kids are shy at first, but then open up. “We talk about college and they light up. I now see willingness and eagerness to go to college from high school, which is the program goal.”

Student Success

The neighborhood around NICA boasts a dropout rate of almost 50%. However, 100% of students involved in Circle of Winners graduated high school. Other impressive statistics demonstrate college and trade school success. But perhaps most rewarding is when kids return to volunteer and giveback.

“They inspire me,” Fort Worth State Farm Agent and NICA Board Member Jerry Bristow says. “They’re so passionate about what they do.”

Cesar Garcia, 14, and Erica Gonzalez, 16, are two of NICA’s current success stories. Both are college hopefuls and have benefited from the learning and one-on-one assistance. They now give back by mentoring younger children.

“It’s those mountain top experiences you have in life,” Connie says. “When the young people come back and thank you, it just melts your heart.”

“Don’t drink and drive.” “Don’t drive while distracted.” A couple of phrases most teens have heard hundreds of times from parents, at school, or on the news.

Hearing the message is one thing, but what really drives the message home and creates change? In Texas, its peer-to-peer communication. Teens speaking and sharing with other teens, in their own words and ways.

Teens were challenged to convey the importance of practicing safe driving habits through visual arts. The Texas A&M University Transportation Institute’s Teens in the Driver’s Seat organization and State Farm, together, host the poster and video contest. The ninth annual “Driving the Message” event was held at CityLink in Richardson, TX in the spring of 2016.

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.

To many he’s the Father of the Safe Room. To his friends, he is simply Ernie. And Ernie is a pretty unassuming guy. Humble is probably the best word for it.

Beginnings

On the evening of May 11, 1970, an off-duty police officer sat in his car watching an ominous cloud creep towards Lubbock, Texas. Watching grapefruit-size hail punching dents on his car, he knew the city was in for a tough night.

A monster tornado touched down near Texas Tech University snapping Red Raider stadium light poles like matchsticks. The one-and-a-half-mile wide F5 tornado churned through Lubbock that evening, damaging and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

But the real tragedy was the 26 individuals who died and the 1,500 injured residents.

The new chairman of the Civil Engineering Department at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Dr. Ernst Kiesling, was familiar with the terrible power of a tornado. Seventeen years prior, an F4 ripped through his hometown of San Angelo, Texas, killing 13.

The recurring human loss from these killer storms triggered something inside Kiesling. He started talking to his young faculty team about opportunities to use their academic and research skills to make a difference. The team started to collect data and document tornado damage through site visits to stricken areas.

The Real Work Begins

By the time 1973 rolled around, Kiesling’s team was firing on all cylinders, and the engine of their creativity sparked an idea destined to save countless lives. While studying tornado damage in the small town of Burnet, Texas, the engineers noticed a recurring theme.

A severely damaged house had no roof nor exterior walls. In fact, the only thing left standing was a small kitchen pantry in the center of the debris. All four walls were intact.

“The inspiration for the above-ground storm shelter came from that pantry,” Kiesling reminisced. “The sensible approach was to provide occupant protection for a small area, and design the rest of the home to sustain minimum economic loss.”

And so Kiesling’s team descended the stairs to the lab and went to work. One major issue was making the safe room stand up to flying debris, one of the greatest dangers.

“We had to test the rooms we were building, but had no way to launch the debris missiles,” said Kiesling.

Behold, the pneumatic cannon, capable of launching a 15 foot 2X4 board at simulated wind speeds of more than 250 miles-per-hour. It was every young boy’s dream. Even today Kiesling gets a sparkle in his eye talking about how the cannon they developed played an important role in testing wall materials in those early days.

“We started by launching 2x4s at plywood,” said Kiesling. “A single layer — two layers — three layers were perforated by the tremendous force of the 2x4. Finally at four layers of plywood, it held.”

Kiesling and his team moved on to testing other wall material, including plywood layers mixed with steel reinforcement, and then concrete reinforced blocks. The team developed and tested prototype shelters, then the concept was fully accepted by all.

Well, maybe not “fully” accepted.

The Road to Acceptance

In 1974 Civil Engineering Magazine presented the concept of the above-ground storm shelter by Kiesling and graduate student David Goolsby. People questioned the concept. Many believed the only safe place during a tornado was underground, and the above-ground shelter was a waste of time and energy.

In addition, the badly needed shelter was often slowed by lack of research personnel or necessary funding.

That changed in 1998 when Dateline NBC came to Tulsa Tech.

A tornado destroyed a small, Texas subdivision and received national attention. Dateline aired a special program covering the devastation and featured the revolutionary above-ground storm shelter developed at Texas Tech.

Two years later, the shelter survived the F5 tornado in the Oklahoma City area. Other media outlets started taking notice and spreading the word about alternatives to going underground.Kiesling is proud of his storm shelter and keeps photos of some that stood alone in the middle of rubble after a storm. “Through our work, we have provided ample evidence that you can provide safety above ground as well as below ground,” he said.

In 1974 Kiesling and his family built a home in Lubbock. Putting his money where his mouth is, he installed a safe room made from concrete reinforced blocks. The room looked like a natural part of the home, and he often gave tours to city officials, media and neighbors.

“Our safe room opened some eyes,” he said. “We never had to use it, but one of the great benefits is the knowledge that there is a safe place within your home you can depend on.”

The Father of the Safe Room

And so Ernie continues to be an unassuming, humble man. Despite the fact that he has saved countless lives through his work, he prefers to shift the attention to others.

“My career has been very gratifying,” he said. “I could not foresee the opportunities that presented themselves to help others through our research.”

Dr. Ernst Kiesling is a retired professor of civil engineering at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He is executive director of the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA). He now serves as research Professor and leads the storm shelter research effort within the National Wind Institute at Texas Tech. Kiesling speaks regularly at conferences across the nation about the Texas Tech and NSSA research. State Farm is a sponsor of the National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City, Okla., where Kiesling presented updates on the continuing university research and testing.

Photo credits: Liz Inskip-Paulk, TTU-NWI

More than 300 interns from Bloomington, Champaign, Phoenix, Dallas and Atlanta spent July 12 giving back to their communities. Collectively, the interns donated more than 2,000 hours of service, volunteering at local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army.

Interns from the State Farm® Research and Development Center in Champaign, Illinois sorted items at the local Habitat for Humanity, packaged cereal at the Eastern Illinois Food Bank, played sports and games with children at the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club and sorted donated clothes at the Salvation Army of Champaign.

Laurette Stiles, State Farm Vice President of Strategic Resources, told the Champaign interns, “One of the reasons State Farm is involved with community service, beyond it being the right thing to do, is because we believe in the concept of “service-learning." She continued,  “By adding service to learning, and balancing the two, community service can become more than just the simple act of serving.”

Between Jenga games with kids at the Boys & Girls Club, organizing old cabinets, and creating an intern assembly line at the food pantry, the interns found the experience incredibly rewarding.

“I just think it’s really important, especially for college students," Champaign-based intern, Carter Frambes shared. "You know, sometimes we forget that there is a larger community outside of our campus. So anytime we have an opportunity to give back to the community is nice.”

True or false. Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teen drivers? It’s true. In 2014, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 77,399 vehicle crashes in Texas involving teen drivers.

A Texas Fire Chief has seen this reality up close and personal.

“Every firefighter dreads responding to vehicle crashes involving teens. What a senseless feeling it is to witness death or severe injury that will change that young person’s life forever!” The Woodlands Township Chief Alan Benson said. “Anything public safety can do to decrease vehicle crashes would be a win-win-win for teens, families, and our community.”

So, Chief Benson set about on a mission to save teen drivers’ lives.

To reduce distracted-driving, Chief Benson partnered with the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District. Together, they asked State Farm to help them establish a new program to provide teens with a hands-on experience in a controlled environment. A grant from State Farm would allow the purchase of three pedal karts and a trailer to store and transport them to local high schools and community events.

“With motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of death for teens in Texas and the United States, I was happy to work with Chief Benson to find a way to impact those numbers,” shared Brent Wroten, a resident of The Woodlands and a State Farm Vice President of Agency. “State Farm has a history of caring and partnering with organizations to encourage safe driving. If this pedal kart experience can save one teenager’s life, it will be worth all of our efforts.”

Each teen gets two turns on the pedal karts, while trying to navigate an orange-coned circuit. First, they get to drive without any distractions or impairments. Then they drive while texting or wearing goggles that simulate blurred vision associated with being drunk or drugged. This experience changes their perceptions of how dangerous it truly is to drive wile distracted or under the influence.

Since November 2015, hundreds of local teens used and learned from the pedal karts. Dakota Richards, a 15 year old sophomore at Willis High School, is one of those students. Dakota who was thrilled to be one of the first to drive the kart shared, “The experience was really cool and I plan to talk with my teacher about arranging to bring it to my high school in the spring so other students can benefit.”

Chief Benson, who jokingly test drove one of the karts at the unveiling, is pleased that for years to come, the karts will build awareness with teens about the importance of driving undistracted and unimpaired.

State Farm Lloyds reached a settlement with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) over previous homeowners' rates on February 27, 2015. State Farm Lloyds believes this settlement allows us to continue to focus on serving our customers.

Customers eligible for a refund check have been identified through State Farm Lloyds records and began receiving refunds starting in September 2015. All checks have been distributed to the last known address of eligible customers and former customers.

If you believe you are eligible for a refund, and have not received a check, please contact the team of representatives assisting with the refund process at (844) 461-2836.

Additional Information:

• TX Rate Settlement Update FAQ
• At-a-Glance: Eligibility guidelines, refund calculations, etc.[PDF-37.3KB]
• The Consent Order [PDF-60.5KB]

Residents of Murphy, Texas log onto Facebook for the same reasons as millions of others across the country – for entertainment, gossip, conversation and to share news big and small.

But what makes one group of women in this Dallas suburb stand out is they’ve also tapped the power of social media to help their real-world neighbors. From helping families in need to sock drives for the homeless, they have made a major impact in the lives of hundreds of deserving people.

Coining themselves the Moms of Murphy (MoMs), the secret Facebook group was started in August 2012 by Hedy Berg as a hyper local buy/sell site. A short while later, Hedy connected with a fellow photographer, Sarah Toth who became the second admin for the page.

With Sarah taking on a leadership role, the focus of the group shifted as well. In addition to its buy/sell origins, the group began to focus on networking and philanthropy.

“It’s not all about selling baby clothes anymore. People are so eager to be a part of the group now. We had to limit membership to Murphy residents only,” shared Sarah.

All through online organizing, Moms of Murphy have held several drives and craft fairs to help those less fortune. Recently they held a sock drive.

“We learned the most needed but least donated item in shelters were socks. So we pulled together and donated more than 2500 pairs of socks to area shelters,” said Sarah.

In 2013, Sarah had an idea to take their positive impact via social media even further.

“We have a community that is very giving and has the ability to do so,” Sarah said. “So, let’s give someone a great Christmas; let’s bless a family.”

Since the initial idea, every holiday season, the MoMs “Bless a Family” with a connection to Murphy. The first year, they helped two families who were in dire need of help.

One Garland, TX family was led by a grandma raising her deceased daughter’s three children. The MoMs gave them a memorable Christmas and even paid for daycare for the two younger children for five months.

All through networking and organizing via the Facebook group, the MoMs were able to turn the family’s water back on and fill their house with much needed furniture, groceries and Christmas presents.

In 2014, the MoMs selected the Mullen family. The parents of three children both had stage four cancer. The MoMs went above and beyond for the Mullen family by paying several months of their mortgage, donating and buying children’s furniture and clothes, and cleaning out and re-organized the garage and pantry, ultimately stocking both with groceries.

“It all came from the MOMs and our connections. Sadly, Dwayne Mullen, lost his battle with cancer in March 2015. We still help out the family with meals and other things as needed,” shared Sarah.

Throughout the year they adopt “mini-bless a families.” Recently the home of a family member of a MoM was hit by a tornado and another local family had a house fire. The MoMs stepped up to help.

What the MoMs are doing has grabbed national news attention., but they are humble and continue with their good works.

This year, through a new application process, the MoMs picked a family from neighboring city Sachse with ties to Murphy to bless this holiday season. Mom Kristina has breast cancer and the financial and caretaking impacts of the disease have hit the family hard.

The MoMs came together and have been able to grant the family almost everything on their Christmas lists, something the family will NOT be expecting on Christmas morning.

The MoM who nominated them, Shari, was even able to take the girls on a shopping spree to get some wardrobe essentials, thanks to the money raised at the MoMs November Craft Fair and other generous contributions by members of the group.

“We have been able to take some of the stress out of the holiday season,” said Sarah. “Not only from a financial standpoint, but physically having to worry about shopping for the three children, wrapping gifts and all the details that go into making a holiday great.”

Kristina finished her last round of chemotherapy in mid-December and was thrilled to “ring the bell” which indicates the official end of her chemo treatment.

To date, the group has more than 1700 members, several who work for State Farm. State Farm is one of the larger employers in the Dallas area, with approximately 7,000 employees. Jodi Wooten, is one of those MoM/employees.

“Being a part of the MoMs of Murphy is a natural extension of being a State Farm employee,” shared Jodi. “Both my company and my Facebook community really believe in giving back and serving.”

“The Bless a Family events are an outcome of Sarah’s great idea but that’s the great thing about the group - someone brings up an idea and then says, ‘Hey would you like to join me and make this happen in our community?’ The power of social media to do good is amazing,” shared Jodi.

The MOMs encourage other towns and Facebook groups to take the initiative and make a difference year-round!

Look for opportunities right around you – you can also make the most impact on your immediate neighbors. Whether it’s donating socks for the homeless, taking a meal to someone in need or organizing a charity event – it will make a difference!

Houston’s young residents are learning about crime prevention and safety in an unorthodox and engaging manner … from a robot. Officer Defender, is touring the Houston area talking with children and the important messages are resonating.

The Houston Police Department (HPD), with funding from State Farm, purchased a robot and children at a local Boys and Girls Club named it Officer Defender. With Officer Defender on duty, HPD is better-equipped to engage small or large groups of children from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade in a purposeful and powerful way. Officer Defender shares safety messages about:

• stranger danger
• bullying
• gang prevention
• drug prevention
• gun safety
• personal safety
• cyber safety
• pool/water safety and
• 911 emergency procedures

In 2015, between January and August, Officer Defender reached more than 14,000 students during visits to elementary and middle schools as well as at the Houston Police Academy during Police Week events.

“The boys and girls were completely engaged in the presentation, each wanting a turn to talk with the robot,” shared Corpus Christi Catholic School Principal Dr. Mazie McCoy after a presentation by Officer Defender. “Teachers and parents said the students were still talking about the robot days after the presentation. Thanks to Officer Defender, our youth will always remember these important lessons!”

“When small kids walk up to me, they are amazed that I can see and talk back to them,” stated Officer Defender. “They can see my police badge and I sometimes activate my police lights and siren.”

Officer Defender has met many people, but there is one that stood out from the rest. Kyssi Andrews, a vibrant six year old who fought cancer for more than three years before she passed away in June of 2015, told her parents her dream was to be a police officer. Texas law enforcement officials were eager to make her dream come true.

She was granted the status as an honorary Texas State Trooper and Houston Police Officer. She was given the red carpet treatment when those honors were conferred upon her: receiving specially made uniforms, riding a horse with Mounted Patrol, meeting a K-9 Officer, riding in a HPD patrol car, and getting a private tour of the police museum; however, the best surprise was a visit with Officer Defender.

Kyssi was captivated by every sound or motion the robot made and she asked several questions while she attempted to figure out exactly how Officer Defender spoke and moved. For weeks after, Kyssi talked about this special meeting and Officer Defender’s safety messages.

“It’s always a joy to work through Officer Defender because children are captivated by the robot’s presence and they remember what he says to them,” said Officer EJ Joseph the human who voices and controls the robot.

Officer Defender is proving to be a helpful safety-focused robot and an amazing goodwill ambassador serving the Greater Houston Area.

Dead ends

Both of his parents passed away, and miles and matters separated the rest of his family. With his condition worsening, Sam intensified the search for a possible match in 2013. He finally reached an estranged cousin in California. In questioning how other family members dealt with the genetic disorder, the cousin revealed the family secret Sam’s mother had taken to her grave: Sam was adopted. His known relatives would not be a match. He realized the already difficult task would now be close to impossible.

A successful corporate software sales director for Microsoft, Sam was now too sick to work. Online research revealed that someone falsified his birth records to make it impossible to find his birth family. Further, the hospital in which he was born had closed and its medical documents shredded…another dead end.

Every genetic test available found no close relatives in their databases. Sam’s friends all began to test to see if they could help, but the process was slow and tedious. Further, if a match was found, the donor had to be in perfect health. Slowly, each was eliminated for various reasons.

Sam’s “slow boat to hell,” as he called it in a Dallas TV interview, was taking a toll. Sam made frequent trips across country to Mayo Clinic for evaluation and treatment. He was now on dialysis; a procedure he knew could keep him alive, but was no way to live. Some people’s health declines on dialysis, and Sam was not doing well. He prepared his wife, Julie, and their two children for the worst. That included educating Julie about the household insurance in case he didn’t make it through his health situation.

Conversation connects important dots

Linda Horton is Sam’s State Farm Agent, she enjoys his intelligence, kindness and his jokes. Sam likes Linda’s caring personality and thoughtfulness, and he even referred business to Linda. The two stay in touch as insurance needs change. Over a lunch, they discussed his insurance coverage, his condition and his dire need for a kidney to match his Type O blood. That conversation with Linda changed – if not saved – his life.

That same week, in addition to caring for customers like Sam, Linda was also interviewing team members for her growing agency in north Dallas. One of those interviews was with Adrian Serrano.

Adrian talked about his professional accomplishments, his personal life, goals, ambitions and bucket list. The Army reservist, deployed in Iraq in 2004, shared a story about a near-death experience on the battlefield. Adrian said he had “made a deal with God” that if he lived, he would “live his life for God.” Adrian went on to tell Horton he had an O blood type and aspired to be an organ donor. Linda immediately made the connection to her friend and customer, Sam Miller. She told Serrano, “I have a client with an O blood type and he’s also in dire need of a kidney!”

Horton introduced the two. With his previous potential donors all disqualified for one reason or another, Sam was running out of hope. Though certainly grateful for the introduction, he was wary of getting his hopes up that a complete stranger, introduced by his insurance agent, would turn out to be his donor.

However, Adrian was a perfect match and willingly donated his kidney. On the February morning Sam was to have a surgery to re-route blood vessels in his arm for more efficient dialysis; he instead had a transplant. His “slow boat to hell” was starting to turn around.

A match made in heaven

Some might say it was an amazing coincidence. Adrian and Sam feel God had a plan from the beginning.

God orchestrated this from day one,” said Serrano in a Dallas television interview.

Miller said he found faith. ”All of a sudden, I was alive again. We don’t know where this leads, but what a beautiful testimony and sacrifice for, really, a stranger.”

Sam and Adrian are both doing well.

Adrian is back at work, though not at State Farm. Sam suffers from migraines, but nothing more serious. He continues his recovery at home in Dallas taking his wife, son and daughter on trips when their schedules allow.

As for resuming his search for family, Miller says for now he is enjoying his life, family and “taking a breather for a minute.”

Learn more about organ donation at donatelife.net or organdonor.gov

Click here to watch the interview with Adrian Serrano

Selena Martinez is a confident freshman attending Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. With her bubbly personality and sunny outlook, no one would ever guess that just a few years ago, Selena was homeless and faced significant financial challenges.

While Selena was a student at Reagan High School in Houston, Texas, her brother was medically discharged from the military after being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Selena’s brother moved back in with his parents and siblings, where he attempted to murder Selena’s father and destroyed the family’s home. After her brother’s arrest, Selena’s father became depressed and turned to alcohol to curb his emotions. Frustrated by her father’s drinking, Selena confronted him. In his drunken state, he told her to “Get out!”

“Life is Not Going to Wait on You”

With no income or place to go, Selena slept on the couches of friends and family for a few days until she would move on to another. During that school year, Selena and her classmates received financial literacy lessons from a Junior Achievement volunteer. Before leaving the classroom, the Junior Achievement volunteer encouraged Selena and her classmates to keep pushing forward, because “life is not going to wait on you.” Through the volunteer’s lessons and encouragement, it was the first time Selena understood how personal finance and work readiness affected her future.

Selena used the financial lessons and some creativity, to begin selling her artwork and custom t-shirts. Soon, she had an income which she used to end her homelessness and climb toward success. By senior year, Selena was voted class president, rose to the rank of National Honor Society Vice President, and became an award-winning poet. And then the acceptance letter came from Bryn Mawr College.

Major Possibilities

Martinez plans to major in psychology and minor in film to understand further how film impacts all demographics and how to strengthen it as an educational resource.

“I plan on moving towards any careers in marketing with intentions to promote education,” Martinez said. “I’m open minded to all possibilities, just as long as I’m making a difference.”

State Farm is proud to provide financial literacy education grants to organizations like Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas to afford students like Selena opportunities to learn and comprehend the importance of income, budgeting, and saving as they make their way to a brighter, more financially-solid future.

“It takes too much time to apply.”

“The process is too difficult to understand.”

“My parents make too much money for me to qualify.”

These statements are just some of the reasons many students and parents do not complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

College can be a fulfilling, memorable academic experience; most importantly, college is a life-long investment. According to the College Board, the cost of attending college can range anywhere from $23,410 per year for a four-year, public, in-state school to $46,272 for a private, non-profit, four-year school.

On average, college graduates have lower unemployment rates and drastically higher salaries. According to a 2014 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, before retirement, college graduates will earn an average of $800,000 more than high school graduates.

Nationally, the percentage of students that enroll in college immediately after high school is 68 percent. In Central Texas, this percentage is less than the national average.

A lack of understanding about FAFSA application process was identified as a main reasons for the gap. So t, he Austin Chamber of Commerce decided to do something about it.

In 2006 the Austin Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Foundation established the Financial Aid Saturdays (FAS) program. The program is supported by State Farm. The FAS provides free FAFSA application assistance to prospective and current college students, and their parents/guardians.

“Completing the FAFSA without help can be confusing,” said Mary Smith, an Austin area mother who has participated in the FAS program. “Several years ago, I missed out on possible financial aid for my older daughter by completing the application incorrectly.”

Mary continued, “The FAS staff members patiently walk parents through each step of the process, giving individual help as needed, while parents complete the form online.” She added, “They answer all of your questions so you will feel confident the form has been completed and submitted correctly.”

Since FAS established the program, which serves 15 school districts, annual FAFSA applications more than doubled, from nearly 5,600 in 2005 to more than 11,500507 filings in 2014.

With the help of FAS, students in the Austin-area have received a total of $116 million in federal and state student aid. This aid gives students the opportunity to realize their dreams of going to college and pursuing a career.

For more information on federal student aid, visit www.StudentAid.gov or the financial aid office of the college you are considering attending. Your high school and other local organizations may also have programs and workshops available to help you through the FAFSA process.