Submissions for this year’s program will be accepted starting June 2 at 1 p.m. ET and will end once 2,000 submissions are received. The voting phase will follow from Aug. 18-27, where the public can vote for their favorite cause from the list of 200 finalists. The 40 winners will be announced Sept. 29. For more information, please visit https://www.neighborhoodassist.com.

She passed the Big Brothers/Big Sisters sign in Bloomington, Ill., “approximately 700 times” on her way to and from work at State Farm^®.

The non-profit was looking for volunteers to serve as mentors to at-risk kids; for people that would help these kids learn lessons and develop skills to help them find success later in life.

“I’d always think of a reason why I couldn’t be a Big Sister,” Julie remembered. “I’d say I was too busy or that I wouldn’t know what to do or I didn’t want to commit to something if I couldn’t give it 100 percent, so I just kept passing by and never calling.”

Everything changed 12 years ago when Julie finally called.

“Figure out what you want to be, and we’ll figure out the rest together.”

Kayanna Jones and Julie Mullenbach meet for the first time.

In 2009, Julie was paired with a 6-year-old girl named Kayanna Jones.

“We both liked sports, we liked being outside and we liked to shop,” said Julie.

Julie remembers being a little nervous as she drove to Kayanna’s house to meet her for the first time. “I remember thinking ‘What if I’m no good at this, what if I let this kid down?’ Then I saw this adorable little girl standing on the side of the road, jumping up and down with excitement, and I just knew everything was going to be OK.”

For the next 12 years, it was more than OK. Kayanna and Julie would get together once every two weeks and as time went on, the two grew closer and closer.

”The first couple of years were mostly about building a relationship. I wanted her to know that she could always count on me, that I’d be there when I said I’d be there and that she could trust me.”

Julie once asked Kayanna what she wanted to be when she grew up. The 10-year-old thought about it for a while and said, “I guess I’d like to work at Burger King.”

“I asked her ‘Is that because you like to cook?’” said Julie. “And she told me that she thought Burger King might be a good job, since she couldn’t go to college.”

The two celebrating another milestone.

When Julie asked why she couldn’t go to college, Kayanna told her “it costs a lot of money.”

“You’re right, it does cost a lot of money,” Julie told her, “but I’ll tell you what: you figure out what you want to be, and we’ll figure out the rest together.”

Figuring it out

The next time they met, Kayanna’s career goals had changed; she now wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer.

With that part figured out, the two began working on a plan to get Kayanna enrolled in college.

“Kayanna has always been a great student,” Julie said, “so we were never concerned about her grades. I always tried to show her just because things are hard, it doesn’t mean they’re impossible.”

An avid volleyball player, Julie would sometimes take Kayanna to her games. Kayanna loved sports and quickly took a liking to volleyball. She showed a lot of promise. When the opportunity arose for her to attend a prestigious volleyball club, the two were extremely excited – even after they saw the $800 price tag.

“We weren’t really discouraged,” Julie said. “We just approached it like everything else; we figured out how we would solve this particular problem.”

Through a combination of hard work, talent and perseverance, Kayanna (pictured on the right) landed a full ride to attend college at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Julie set up a GoFundMe account and they quickly raised more than $1,000.

Kayanna continued attending volleyball clubs, working the concession stand in exchange for money off of her tuition.

“When all the other girls were going home or going out to celebrate, Kayanna was working,” Julie said. “She knew that if she wanted to reach her goal and get to where she wanted to be, this is what she needed to do, and she never complained.”

All of the hard work paid off. Kayanna was recruited by the University of Illinois-Chicago, and she’ll be attending this fall -- on a full scholarship. “It’s just so incredible,” Julie said. “I am just so unbelievably proud of her.”

Their story was so inspirational, the two were recently recognized as the state of Illinois Big Sister and Little Sister of the Year and were finalists for the national award.

“Kayanna and Julie’s story is really remarkable and inspiring,” said Corey Burrows, Chief Operating Officer of the Central Illinois chapter of BBBS. “Their relationship really personifies what we want our organization to do. When we talk about ‘helping a child reach their potential,’ this is exactly what we mean.”

Watch Julie and Kayanna's story on YouTube to learn more.

For information on how to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, visit https://www.bbbs.org/get-involved/.

Those actions are shared in our first-ever annual report detailing our progress in environmental, social, and governance areas. One example is how in 2020, our national and local philanthropic giving totaled nearly $57 million—with more than $16 million supporting pandemic relief. State Farm invested an additional $10 million in minority and women small business owners in the Company’s home state of Illinois.

And—because cleaner air helps make a better world—State Farm is committing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by the end of 2030.

We have renewable or carbon-free power purchase agreements for several of our main employee campuses and we’re actively exploring sustainable solutions for fleet vehicles, energy efficiency capital projects, green natural gas – plus how to engage employees individually toward this target.

This step is just the first in our continuing efforts to being good stewards of the neighborhoods we serve.

Download the 2020 ESG Highlights infographic

This ESG report, the first of its kind in the Company’s history, summarizes 2020 State Farm work in the areas of environmental sustainability, social impact, and responsible governance of company operations.

“For nearly one hundred years, State Farm has functioned on the belief that being a good neighbor means being good stewards of the neighborhoods we serve,” said State Farm Chairman, President & CEO Michael Tipsord. “We want to help make a better world by building resilient futures, empowering good neighbors, and protecting what matters.”

Highlights of the new report include:

• Increased energy efficiency: More than 80% of State Farm facilities have an Energy Star Score of 75 or higher.
• $100 million committed in support for minority communities for issues of racial equity and justice over the next 5 years.
• 98,000 hours of employee & agent volunteering, which generated $647,500 in related grant funding
• Evolving workforce demographics: women comprise 57% of employees and 37% of executive roles. Minorities hold 24% of executive roles.

To accompany this report on 2020 activity, State Farm is also announcing a new environmental commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by the end of 2030.

State Farm is the largest auto and homeowner insurance provider in the U.S., with more than 85 million policies and accounts.

Download the 2020 ESG Highlights infographic

• Supporting local food banks
• Donating meals to medical workers and first responders
• Assisting the elderly with grocery shopping
• Supporting local restaurants
• Making and donating face masks
• Providing homework help
• ...and much more!

Read about some of the more unique efforts in the stories and news accounts below. 

In the News:

• "Serving" - video featuring State Farm Agent Thomas Waters (Homewood, Alabama)
• Black Woman Sends Orphans Black Dolls to Help Teach Them They Can ‘Be the Center of the Story’ (Richardson, Texas)
• St. Augustine State Farm agent supports community during coronavirus crisis (St. Augustine, Florida)
• Local State Farm agent helps firefighters reduce kitchen fires (Huntington, West Virginia)
• Columbus State Farm agents make donation to Center for Survivors (Columbus, Nebraska)
• Local State Farm agent sponsors Rustburg community day (Rustburg, Virginia)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the News:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the News:

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

More than one billion people worldwide are unnecessarily blind or vision impaired. Most just need a pair of glasses. Thousands of American children are among them. Children who should be busy learning, are instead struggling to see.

Kovan Reynolds was one of those kids. The 13-year-old from Atlanta had to stand up at the front of the classroom to read the white board. He would squint and get headaches playing his favorite video game. He wanted more confidence on the soccer field. He wanted a new pair of glasses.

Kovan’s mom, Rene Elmore, knew he needed a new pair after losing a few frames. His eyesight had gotten worse and he needed an exam. But life kept getting in the way.

The single mom had just put herself through college and landed a new job. With everything on their plates, getting to the eye doctor ended up on the backburner. Then a State Farm employee decided to celebrate her 30^th work anniversary by giving back.

A happy hour or food day wasn’t really Michele Means’ style, but community service was. She also wanted to engage her work colleagues in the act of good, and help youth.

“I was looking for an idea that would be impactful and different,” Michele said. “I reached out to the local Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta because of the amazing work they do.”

Sophie Felix, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Director of Teen Services, suggested an eyeglass collection campaign paired with free exams and fittings; Project Vision.

“I have two adopted brothers whose birth mother was blind…my mom initially struggled to get them the eyecare and glasses they needed,” Sophie said. “I know what a difference having proper glasses makes.”

“I thought, it must be so difficult to learn and succeed if you can’t see properly. Good vision should never be taken for granted,” Michele shared. “Sophie thought 30 frames would be a good goal. But I knew my State Farm community could pull off more.”

She was right.

• 145 frames were collected from Michele’s State Farm network, more than 200 total.
  • 11 State Farm employees also donated their time at the event.
• 113 Boys and Girls Club members attended the mid-October Project Vision event.
  • The extra glasses will be used at future BGCMA events.
• 31 members had free eye screenings and received free exam vouchers, including Kovan.
• 34 members with prescriptions received free glasses.

It was a pretty impactful way to celebrate a work anniversary. 

And, a huge weight was lifted off Rene’s shoulders; Kovan is getting his glasses!

Have old frames? Skip the junk drawer and instead help people all over the world. Across the US, the Lions Club has drop-off locations.
 

More than one billion people worldwide are unnecessarily blind or vision impaired. Most just need a pair of glasses. Thousands of American children are among them. Children who should be busy learning, are instead struggling to see.

Kovan Reynolds was one of those kids. The 13-year-old from Atlanta had to stand up at the front of the classroom to read the white board. He would squint and get headaches playing his favorite video game. He wanted more confidence on the soccer field. He wanted a new pair of glasses.

Kovan’s mom, Rene Elmore, knew he needed a new pair after losing a few frames. His eyesight had gotten worse and he needed an exam. But life kept getting in the way.

The single mom had just put herself through college and landed a new job. With everything on their plates, getting to the eye doctor ended up on the backburner. Then a State Farm employee decided to celebrate her 30^th work anniversary by giving back.

A happy hour or food day wasn’t really Michele Means’ style, but community service was. She also wanted to engage her work colleagues in the act of good, and help youth.

“I was looking for an idea that would be impactful and different,” Michele said. “I reached out to the local Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta because of the amazing work they do.”

Sophie Felix, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Director of Teen Services, suggested an eyeglass collection campaign paired with free exams and fittings; Project Vision.

“I have two adopted brothers whose birth mother was blind…my mom initially struggled to get them the eyecare and glasses they needed,” Sophie said. “I know what a difference having proper glasses makes.”

“I thought, it must be so difficult to learn and succeed if you can’t see properly. Good vision should never be taken for granted,” Michele shared. “Sophie thought 30 frames would be a good goal. But I knew my State Farm community could pull off more.”

She was right.

• 145 frames were collected from Michele’s State Farm network, more than 200 total.
  • 11 State Farm employees also donated their time at the event.
• 113 Boys and Girls Club members attended the mid-October Project Vision event.
  • The extra glasses will be used at future BGCMA events.
• 31 members had free eye screenings and received free exam vouchers, including Kovan.
• 34 members with prescriptions received free glasses.

It was a pretty impactful way to celebrate a work anniversary. 

And, a huge weight was lifted off Rene’s shoulders; Kovan is getting his glasses!

Have old frames? Skip the junk drawer and instead help people all over the world. Across the US, the Lions Club has drop-off locations.
 

It’s called Good Neighbor Day.

Observed annually on the 28th of September, Good Neighbor Day is a reminder we all play a role in strengthening communities. It began in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter proclaimed September 28th National Good Neighbor Day by stating:

“We are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others.  Understanding, love, and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our nation and the nations of this world.”

This year, and every year – the observance provides an opportunity to give back.

Take part in the celebration! Here are three things to consider:

1. Volunteer: On Good Neighbor Day, consider giving back to your community. The State Farm Neighborhood of Good® can identify outreach opportunities near you. Here’s how it works: * Visit NeighborhoodofGood.com®

   • Select what you’re passionate about (for example: animals, education, the environment)
   • Enter your zip code to find volunteer opportunities related to your location and interests.
2. Give back in other ways: Small acts equal big impact. According to a State Farm® study, lack of time is one of the biggest barriers to volunteering. 77% of respondents also preferred to volunteer with people they know. With this in mind, here’s a few ideas to do good as a group:
   • Go outside: Find a park or beach that needs to be cleaned up. Feel great about making an immediate difference.
   • Meet your elders: Grab a board game and sign up to visit a nursing home or assisted living facility. Often, residents look forward to sharing their stories and making new memories.
   • Cook a healing meal: Help a family or friend after illness, injury or even birth by making dinner and bringing it to their home.
   • Get active: Volunteer as a group for a charity walk or run. Kids can hand out water or snacks and cheer on participants.
   • Invite others to the party: When planning birthday or block parties, ask for donations instead of gifts to fill care packages for a local cause.
3. Enlist others to join you: List it on NeighborhoodofGood.com! Find volunteers, get more exposure, and grow your cause. Visit st8.fm/NoGRYO  to get started.

Whatever you do, give back and have a Happy Good Neighbor Day!

“So you’re telling me, what we did…turned into a thing?” asked Cheryl Pisko.

Doing good is a powerful thing.

Pisko, is among a group of workers whose decision to volunteer served as the inspiration for a State Farm commercial. "On the Board" depicts a friendly competition between two employees. They do activities ranging from neighborhood cleanups, to wildlife conservation, charity fun runs, and supporting the fight against cancer. While the employees are portrayed by actors, the acts of good are real performed, by people like Pisko.

“Typically, I fly under the radar! But when I learned about an opportunity to record my actions and share those stories, I jumped in. It’s energizing.”

Leading up to the State Farm 100^th Anniversary in 2022, employees and agents are performing acts of good in the communities where they live and work. As part of the process, they share their experiences through an online portal.

“Giving back is something many of us have been doing for a long time, we just haven’t always talked about it,” said Pisko. “This is a way to do that, and support coworkers in the process. But I never knew my submissions would receive national attention!”

Small acts can have a big impact.

Like Pisko, Customer Care Rep Shawna Meiners couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the commercial.

“I had to watch it a second time so everything could sink in! How cool to be part of something so special.”

From donations to fundraisers – Meiners says a little bit, goes a long way.

“Growing up, I was one of the people who needed help – and didn’t always get it. Now that I’m established, it’s my prerogative to give back. That’s why I give an extra dollar, stop to help someone cross the street, or donate clothes. What might be small to you, means the world to someone else. I know it. I lived it.”

Being a good neighbor feels good.

As they re-watched the national commercial, the acts of good triggered memories.

“The charity run for Parkinson’s!”

“I save turtles!”

“I support cancer research!”

But what stood out most to employees wasn’t one action. It was the underlying message.

“This isn’t about where we work or where we’re from. At the heart of it all is humanity,” said Pisko. “Acts of good create a generous spirit. And that spirit grows and multiplies and changes lives when we make a decision to help.”

“Anyone can make a difference,” added Meiners. "And maybe, just maybe, this commercial is what people need to put that lesson into practice."

Deatria Walker lent a helping hand with a program at her son’s school that she was very familiar with – Junior Achievement.

“Volunteering is important to me. My son’s school sent out a request for volunteers for the Junior Achievement program. Since I was involved in the program as a high schooler, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get involved in his school,” the Cincinnati, Ohio, agent says.

For Deatria, Junior Achievement sparked her interest and motivated her to attend college. A recent Cincinnati high school graduate had a similar experience.

Ty’ron Little participated in the JA Personal Finance program in eighth grade and the JA It’s My Future program in high school. He put the information he learned through these programs to use to get a job, open a bank account, buy a car and get into Miami University.

Junior Achievement featured Ty’ron in a video and asked Deatria to pose as the small-business educator.

“I got to talk to Ty’ron and get the back story of what he had gone through with his mom and family members. He wanted to set an example for his little brother. He said Junior Achievement helped him stay focused,” Deatria says.

“We realized what a unique and wonderful story Ty’ron had,” Laura Randall-Tepe, vice president of strategic relations for Junior Achievement of OKI Partners – Cincinnati/Dayton/Richmond, says. “We know there are kids engaged in the program and from the program. They’re introduced to strategies and concepts they didn’t know or hadn’t picked up.”

Deatria wanted to give back to her community, and Junior Achievement was a great way to do that.

“It’s a blessing I have this career. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher. Although I’m a State Farm^® agent today, I’m able to fulfill that need to help educate and pass on the knowledge I’ve learned to benefit someone else,” she says.

“I think it’s our responsibility to reach back and give as much as we can to someone who needs assistance,” the 10-year agent adds. “There were so many adults who helped me when I was a student and didn’t have much. Now it is my time to help take care of others.”

Saying yes to a family match through their local Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Al and Melanie turned caring into doing and changed many lives. In big ways.

And even half a decade later the relationship is going strong. Jacob comes over to their house on a Saturday or Sunday nearly every weekend. Now 12, Jacob “is a pretty awesome young man — polite, thankful, and never asking for anything. He blends in well with our family,” according to Al.

During Jacob’s visits, they do a variety of activities. Now that he’s in seventh grade, helping him with schoolwork is a focus area.

Al and Melanie have been helping Jacob develop more comprehensive thinking skills. “In the beginning,” Melanie says, “I sat down and read each question with him. It wasn’t that Jacob didn’t know the answer, but more that he didn’t know how to structure the answer.”

And homework time has become a family affair. Al and Melanie’s two older daughters, Izzy and Allie, help Jacob with homework too. “It’s good for the girls to teach someone,” says Al. “Which is when you learn how well you know something.” Aside from homework, they all spend time reading each weekend.

The Schellings aren’t only in this for the near term. They expect to see Jacob graduate from high school and are in it for the long haul. As contacts for Jacob’s teachers, Al and Melanie are able to track his academic and social progress.

But it’s not all about homework. Al and Melanie encouraged Jacob to get involved in a youth basketball program, which adds balance. Jacob is included in family vacations and even family pictures. Al and Melanie’s three daughters love him like a brother.

Recently, the Schellings were planning a movie outing. Their 11-year-old daughter’s first question was, “Is Jacob coming too?”. She didn’t want to go with her parents, but if her ‘brother’ was going, she would too.

Mentoring relationships take on many forms, and this relationship benefits everyone involved. In addition to Jacob’s adoptive mom, the family match program introduced Jacob to other adult role models who care about him and are committed to his success. And Al and Melanie indicate an unbelievable change in their lives.

Melanie says, “Our relationship with Jacob has helped us open up more to what kids want and need.” Al adds, “Jacob has never asked us for anything; he just wants to hang out.

“Helping kids has become quite normal for us. We are quite blessed to be able to effectively operate our agencies while taking time out to make a difference.”

“It’s amazing that we can have a successful business while following our passion,” Melanie comments. “We want others to get involved like we are. The commitment can be as little as 10 hours per month, but can have a monumental impact on a kid’s life.”

To find mentoring opportunities in your area, visit NeighborhoodofGood.com^® and search under local ‘Children & Youth Education’.

Other ways to get involved mentoring youth:

• Tutor a student
• Participate in class/group programs (e.g. Junior Achievement, coach an after school activity)
• Serve as a foster parent
• Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to advocate in court for underserved children

Located in New Jersey, the no-kill rescue is home to pit-bulls in need of loving homes.

Aladdin’s owner and Lilo’s Promise Community Outreach Coordinator, Michele Schaffer-Stevens says the soft items are a source of comfort for dogs in need.

“Having something like a homemade blanket makes a world of difference verses a concrete floor,” said Stevens. “It’s a touch of home for a dog who is waiting for its forever home.”

Aladdin knows what that’s like. In 2013, weighing just 18 pounds and missing teeth…he came into Michele’s life.

“He’d been treated so poorly by a human being. A pit-bull of his size should be about 48 pounds,” Stevens explained. “I took him in and cared for him. Today, Aladdin is a healthy, happy therapy dog who works in schools, with disaster victims, and hospice patients.”

The six-year-old pit-bull is also an ambassador for dog safety programs – and has worked with State Farm to promote responsible pet ownership.

“These are amazing, resilient animals,” said Stevens. “We love to pay it forward in the community, and working with State Farm amplifies our ability to create good in this world.”

The fleece blankets made for dogs in need are part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good®. The initiative, focused on the power of volunteering, encourages people to donate their time and talent to make a difference in their local communities.

To promote animal welfare, special volunteer events took place across the country. People were encouraged to visit a local State Farm Neighborhood of Good tent to make a fleece blanket for a rescue dog.

In New York City, the creative opportunity caught the attention of many passing by.

“It felt so good to be part of this effort,” said Kionna McClary. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you are creating a positive impact. Just five minutes can make a difference for an animal in need.”

McClary worked at the tent in New York City – assisting people as they created the soft blankets.

“This was a great learning opportunity for children and adults alike, said McClary. “Many asked how they can continue to stay involved. That’s when I told them about the Neighborhood of Good website.”

The website, www.NeighborhoodofGood.com® connects people to local causes in their community. By typing in their zip code and selecting their interest from a drop down menu, visitors can find a volunteer opportunity close to home.

“There’s something out there for everyone,” said McClary. “Whether that’s pets or music or the environment – it’s about discovering your passion and giving back.”

Interests on the Neighborhood of Good website include, (but aren’t limited to) education, arts and culture, technology, disaster and community services, animals and family services. For people with multiple interests - there’s an “All” category too.

“Many remarked how good it felt to volunteer,” said McClary. “Knowing they were making an impact for an animal in need was the highlight of their day. I’m excited to for more people to visit Neighborhood of Good to continue turning the power of caring into the act of doing.”

And for the dogs at Lilo’s Promise – Stevens says, the gift of a soft blanket, as they wait to find a loving home…is priceless.

“We are truly grateful for the kindness of volunteers. We couldn’t do it without them. A little love, goes a long way.”

• To view dogs available for adoption at Lilo’s Promise, visit: www.lilospromise.com
• To find volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood visit: www.NeighborhoodofGood.com

The students attend the International Student Center to learn to read, write and speak English before attending their regular schools. While there, students work to advance in all subjects, and the Center wanted a fun way to teach them about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

A teacher submitted a project to request funding through the website Donors Choose, where anyone can choose a teacher’s project to donate to or fully fund. The project asked for donations to buy Sphero SPRK robots. The robot takes commands from an app loaded on smartphones or tablets. Programs can be created by drawing or using code, depending on the student’s ability.

State Farm^® funded the purchase of the robots through Donors Choose. Five State Farm employees volunteered to teach the students how to use the Sphero by programming the robot to follow a specific pattern on the floor.

Because of the lack of common language, the volunteers communicated in different ways with the students. “We did a lot of pointing and smiling and looking at the sheet,” says Terrell Johnson, State Farm employee.

Thomas Moore, State Farm employee, planned the volunteering event for his team. “Once the students were holding the tablet, you could see they all understood how it worked – the international language of technology,” he says. “We are technologists. We work in the digital space designing apps and websites, so it provided a way to bond with them.”

“It allowed the kids to do the programming, regardless of their level of ability,” Jennifer Kendrick, State Farm employee, says. “We had a grid to follow. We had to be mindful of where you started, how the robot was positioned and that everything was synced to the app.”

As the robots zoomed down the hallways, the students’ faces would light up.

“I hope they took away the idea there are things in the world that are interesting and they can be passionate about it. Their circumstances are all so different. I was happy there was an environment to help them acclimate,” says Steve Eighmey, State Farm employee.

The volunteers came away with a positive experience as well.

“The gratitude they expressed was amazing,” says Terrell. “It made me realize I need to be more grateful. It humanized everything you see on TV. They’re just kids like my kids. They want to have fun, be with their friends, get out of school.”

Jennifer would volunteer at the school again. “To see them light up when they achieved something was incredible,” she says. “A lot of the kids who come have a minimal amount of education. The fact they came in and got that encouragement and success with something that requires current technology and math skills is a big win.”

“The school was trying a different way to get the students into STEM,” adds Jovonni Pharr, State Farm employee. “It’s always a unique experience to watch children learn. It was interesting to see the diversity, as well. There were students from Tanzania, Iraq, Singapore and many other countries.”

State Farm identifies schools through Donors Choose and matches funding criteria for projects in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix. In 2017, State Farm matched funding for more than 460 projects, helping nearly 43,000 students.

“I’ve been at an event where we were boxing food and it felt chaotic to me. There’s a lot of movement, a lot of noise and not knowing the room very well, I didn’t feel like an asset there,” the Richardson, Texas, State Farm^® employee says.

Mel has hereditary cone/rod dystrophy. Half of her family has it going back 11 generations. “I started with a considerable amount of vision. I knew colors and objects, but since they knew my sister and I were going to go blind, we learned Braille and how to use a cane at a young age.”

Mel has light perception and can see certain colors, such as a deep blue sky, a dark green lawn or a red fire engine. When Mel was a child, she loved to draw, but when she began to lose her vision, she moved to writing as a creative outlet.

“I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid, but I think a lot of times my stories and poems come from an image in my mind. I couldn’t preserve it satisfactorily through drawing or photography, so I turned to writing,” Mel says.

Mel has participated in a disability-focused creative writing contest, Pen 2 Paper, hosted by the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) since 2010. So, it made sense that Mel would donate her time to the organization that supports those with disabilities and she could use her expertise in creative writing, editing and living with a disability.

Mel submitted a piece to Pen 2 Paper in 2010 called “The Color of Music” about how a blind girl and deaf boy communicated. It received an honorable mention. Then Mel won first place with a poetry piece submitted in 2012 called “Optical Illusions,” which shared her view of the world as her eyesight failed – floating T-shirts, mistaking a small tree for a person, dreaming in color.

“I have a little light perception and at the time was going through a lot of vision loss,” Mel shares.

In 2016, Mel won first place in the nonfiction category for a piece she submitted about her relationship with a physical therapist after an accident she had in 2014. Following these successes, the Pen 2 Paper coordinators had propositioned her to be a voluntary judge, but the timing was never right.

Finally, last year Mel felt she could volunteer some time to judge the contest. She devoted 15-20 hours judging the poetry and nonfiction categories, the two categories she excelled in as a participant. Overall, Pen 2 Paper received 240 submissions in three categories: Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry.

“I finally felt like I was in my element. I could do the work in the comfort of my little apartment while sipping Earl Grey tea and enjoying a breeze from my open sliding glass door,” she says. “It felt like coming home. I’d read stories and learn about artists with disabilities. We were giving them a voice. It was really fulfilling.”

Winners receive a gift and their pieces are posted on the website. When Mel won for poetry, she received a book of poems by a poet with Cerebral Palsy.

The CTD works to make Texas a better place for people with disabilities through governmental advocacy, public education and outreach and collaboration. The CTD adopted the arts as a means of advocacy, resulting in Pen 2 Paper, Cinema Touching Disability, and the Very Special Arts of Texas collaborates with Malvern Books in Austin to host the Lion and Pirate open mic series, which Mel recently participated in by reading two of her poems from her book, “Patchwork Poetry.”

“The combination of all my poems in my book is a self-portrait. I wanted to give them a glimpse of who I was,” she says.

Until then, life ran smoothly for the Phillips family. Their children excelled in school. They were healthy. There was no shortage of food, warmth and love under their roof.

"Then one day, everything changed," said Phillips.

With their two income household now down to one, the family finances began to dwindle. "Mark began rehabilitation therapy - and we have five children to raise," said Phillips. "I did everything I could to keep this household running. I rationed, cut coupons, shopped at thrift stores. Failure was not an option."

But fatigue was.

Frustration, exhaustion, and feelings of hopelessness swept over the Phillips family. They wanted their world to be normal. They wanted their children to thrive. As their worries deepened...a different surprise came along...“This time it was a good surprise,” smiled Stephanie. “We met the Promise Council.”

The Promise Council is a network of caring adults who assist children and families in central Illinois schools. Volunteers donate their time, talents and resources to ensure families have basic essentials like food, clothing and shelter.

“The Promise Council is positioned to meet the unique needs of students,” said volunteer Garry Hendricks. “If a child needs a    winter coat and hat, the Promise Council provides it. If they need a mattress to sleep on, we’ll get one to the family. If there’s a shortage of food for the weekend, – we’ll send them home with a backpack of healthy items.”

“There are so many needs in front of us – it’s eye opening,” added Promise Council volunteer Reg Washington. “We help with clothing, hotel vouchers, transportation – we even purchased a small refrigerator for a family after learning they’d been filling a sink with ice to keep milk cold for their children. At the time, that’s the only solution they had.”

Both Washington and Hendricks have been Promise Council volunteers for nearly a decade. By day they work at State Farm^®. By night they join forces with caring adults across their central Illinois community to help students and families thrive. “Parents and children should not have to face this kind of worry,” said Hendricks. “The Promise Council assists so parents can focus on getting ahead and students can focus on learning.”

A light at the end of the tunnel

As for the Phillips family, the Promise Council gave Stephanie and Mark gas cards to fill up their van. Their children also received food, clothing, classroom supplies and after-school mentoring.

“The generosity helped us immensely,” said Stephanie. “With the gas cards, we could get to doctor appointments, run errands and I could go to work. The clothing and food also eased our strained budget. We started to breathe easier.”

As the weeks went by, Mark began to heal. The kids made honor roll.

As for Stephanie?

“I became a recess supervisor at the school,” she smiled. “It was my second job, and a way to support the place that gave us so much.”

Today, the Phillips family has made it their mission to give back to the Promise Council. They donate food, clothing and are involved in school activities.

“We want to pay it forward to the Promise Council so it can continue lifting families up,” said Stephanie. “Mark and I tell our kids, no matter what obstacles you face…never give up.”

For this family, the spirit of giving is a lifelong promise.

“And we plan to keep that promise,” said Stephanie.

When motivating young people to volunteer, it’s a common question. Especially in a virtual world where communicating with thumbs is a growing norm.

But Principal Adam Sharp of Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, doesn’t mind the thumbs. Especially if they’re green thumbs. “Every school has a niche,” said Sharp. “Whether it’s sports or arts, ours is servant leadership. Look outside and you’ll see – we’re cultivating a new culture.”

On the grounds of the school, there’s a lush garden in bloom. It’s a project made possible after Principal Sharp received a State Farm^TM Good Neighbor Impact Schools Grant through Youth Service America (YSA).

“I applied for the Good Neighbor grant because I wanted a strong curriculum for doing service projects. When we get students out of the classroom and contributing to a greater good, they’re learning through doing,” said Sharp.

The idea to create a garden sprouted a few years ago. With planning and care, it quickly blossomed.

“YSA had a plan and a program for us to implement this,” Sharp said. “As a Title 1 school, many of our students are on free and reduced lunch. We wanted to focus on helping others while promoting a healthy lifestyle.”

As the garden grew, so did opportunities to serve.

“We have a garden club that’s learning to grow and cultivate food from seed to table,” said Sharp. “Students are harvesting vegetables – including some they’ve never eaten. We also have a green house. This way we can keep growing crops – even in the winter.”

Jorge Sandoval is a service-learning teacher. For him, the community garden is part of a larger conversation.

“When we think about food, we also think about hunger and homelessness,” Sandoval explained. “Many of the students have seen homeless on the streets, on the highway. In class we explore statistics, we talk about the causes and solutions. This garden is one way we can give back as servant leaders.”

Student Monica Garcia sums up servant leadership like this: “It’s teaching me to be kind and to think about others instead of myself.”

The 10-year-old is often in the community garden, caring for plants and volunteering to deliver food to families in need.

“It’s about sharing, and keeping people healthy” said Monica. “I understand this now.”

In honor of Global Youth Service Day (April 21-23), Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy students are giving back by volunteering at a local food bank. They’re also working with the community to plant flowers and bushes that attract butterflies, birds and bees to the school garden. This increases pollination and crop growth.

"Thanks to YSA and State Farm, we've been able to turn an idea into action," said Sharp. "Students aren't just seeing results, they're creating them. Any school can do this. It's about fostering an attitude and ability to serve."

DCH offers support through a healing services organization called Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK helps address the trauma and stress related to hospital stays through healing therapies like massage, meditation, play and music.

And it’s all done free of charge.

These therapies are possible because of ITK’s volunteer program, Hospital Heroes. In this program, Adult Hero volunteers skilled in comfort therapies, support families in crisis. Hero services range from gentle massage, to counseling and moral support. The hospital also welcomes Young Hero volunteers through its doors. The Young Heroes, ages 14-21 are trained in caregiving. They spend time with patients - chatting, playing games and participating in activities.

"Children can feel isolated while in the hospital," said ITK Executive Director, Shay Beider. "Our goal with both Hero programs is to help break down those barriers while helping kids and their families feel comfortable, accepted and safe. This allows patients to experience an emotional escape from the hospital atmosphere."

Play therapy happens weekly in patient rooms or a community space at the hospital. Patient family members can also receive healing therapy in the form of meditation or counseling from ITK Hero therapists.

“All Hero volunteers must complete an orientation to learn techniques for interacting with young patients,” Shay explained. “They also learn person-first language. This is a respectful way to communicate with children who have special needs."

The Heroes program also enhances patient care by promoting emotional well-being, reducing stress, and providing support for families. The DCH staff says it’s an incredible opportunity for volunteers to engage in meaningful service. "I’m so proud of our Hero volunteers,” said Shay. “It's amazing to see their dedication to lifting the spirits of kids. Truly powerful!"

To learn more about ITK, check out the video, A Healing Touch.

“We are so incredibly grateful for the gifts of ITK. Thank you for everything you have given our family. We will never be the same and life looks more beautiful because of you.” – Mother of a teenage patient.

About:

Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK) is dedicated to providing healing touch services to patients and families at DCH. The non-profit organization is funded through grants and donations. The State Farm Youth Advisory Board has provided two consecutive grants in support of the Hospital Heroes and the annual Healing Retreat programs.

These two words describe one man simply known as “Knis."

Meet Ron Knisley, an avid sports fan who spent a majority of his career working with the not-for-profit organization, Special Olympics Illinois. Through the years, he encouraged students with special needs to play sports, work as a team and ultimately achieve victory.

But Knis didn’t stop there. He wanted Special Olympics athletes to receive the same athletic opportunities and recognition as teens attending local high schools.

Big dreams and basketball

An annual event known as the State Farm Holiday Classic (SFHC), made Knis’ vision a reality.

Since its founding in 1975, the SFHC has grown into one of the largest, annual, coed high school holiday basketball tournaments in the nation. Each year, (between Christmas and New Year’s Day) it welcomes 64 varsity teams to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

In 2002, under Knis’ guidance, the SFHC added a Special Olympics Shootout to its schedule. Played on championship day, the Shootout features basketball  teams showcasing their skills while playing the game  they love. In its first year, the Shootout started small.  Just four local teams took the court. Fans weren’t sure what to expect. As the Shootout began, many left to stretch their legs or visit the concession stand.

But those who stayed witnessed something special…

Photo Credit Jeff Findley

They saw Knis’ dream come alive as Special Olympics athletes took center court, just like the other students. Basketballs thudded the ground, sneakers squeaked on the hardwood floor, and then came the sound…

The swoosh of the net as a basketball glided through it. Then another, and another. The crowd cheered! In that moment the spectators witnessed Knis’ passion and dedication reflected in the athletes’ joyful faces.

A holiday tradition

Since 2002, the Shootout has grown in popularity and participation. It now takes place in front of a packed house filled with thousands of people.

But today, an important part is missing.

Just three years after the Shootout began, doctors diagnosed Knis with an aggressive form of colon cancer. He fought hard to beat the disease, but treatments were unsuccessful. Knis passed away in 2005. To honor the man who made this Special Olympics Shootout a reality, the tournament was renamed:

The Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout, presented by the State Farm Holiday Classic and Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (S.O.A.R.), is still making an impact today. With the assistance of the local S.O.A.R. program, the shootout has grown into a two-day event featuring 16 teams from multiple states.

But Knis’ legacy doesn’t stop there

In addition to the shootout, the State Farm Holiday Classic awards scholarships to graduating seniors. Money received helps cover their college tuition. Scholarship winners are also invited back to the SFHC to officiate shootout games.

Forming Relationships

Nick Patkunas is a scholarship winner who jumped at the chance to return to the basketball tournament.

“The experience officiating the Shootout is one I’ll never forget," said Patkunas. “I hope future scholarship winners will accept this opportunity.”

For Patkunas, it was also an opportunity to reconnect with Special Olympics athletes - especially a player named Kurt Kinley. “I had already built a wonderful friendship with Kurt through another activity,” Patkunas explained. “His high spirits and energy had me smiling the entire time we were together! He's such a great kid.”

Nearly four decades later, the State Farm Holiday Classic continues to give back – providing ALL athletes the opportunity to play, achieve and be recognized for their accomplishments. After all, that was Knis’ passionately dedicated dream. A dream that became a reality.

Photo Courtesy Nick Patkunas

She received several awards for her volunteerism. Then, in recognition of her service, strength, and the positive impact she made despite the loss of her 40-year life partner, she was named a State Farm^® Embrace Life recipient in 2009.

She was able to focus on volunteer work because of their careful preparation and guidance from State Farm Agent Monte McCunniff (now Brad McCunniff's State Farm Agency).