Safeco (NYSE:SAF) and the Safeco Insurance Foundation today jointly announced the recipients of two separate giving programs: the Safeco Insurance Foundation Community Grants and Safeco Insurance Community Hero Awards.
Thirty-five non-profit organizations in six locations (Atlanta, Dallas, Indianapolis, Seattle/Puget Sound, Southern California and Spokane) received Community Grants from the Safeco Insurance Foundation, totaling $1,791,000. Today's announcement marks the second major set of grants to be awarded by the Foundation following its inaugural grants in Nov. 2007 of $1.5 million to three Seattle-area organizations.
Awarded by Safeco Insurance through an agent driven program, the company also announced 30 Community Hero Awards. In this signature program, Safeco agents nominated individuals from across the country who demonstrate a tireless commitment to strengthening and enriching their communities. Each "hero was presented with a $15,000 check for the non-profit organization at which they work or volunteer. In total, this program contributed $500,000 to various organizations nationwide.
"The Safeco Insurance Foundation was established in order to continue the civic and community leadership the company has demonstrated throughout its 85-year history," said Foundation President Virginia Anderson. "We applaud the work of all of the organizations that received grants for their ongoing and outstanding community contributions. Their work picks up where corporations leave off. It is our honor and privilege to support them in building stronger, more viable communities."
Speaking about the Community Hero Awards, Anderson said, "Safeco knows every neighborhood has heroes and saw this opportunity to partner with our agents to identify individuals special to them and their home towns. Safeco's Community Hero Awards are intended to recognize and celebrate those individuals who make a positive difference in their community and inspire others to do the same.
Safeco Foundation Community Grant Recipients:
Atlanta-area recipients are 100 Black Men ($50,000), Georgia Aquarium ($100,000), Hands On Atlanta ($35,000), Tubman African American Museum ($100,000) and Metro Atlanta YMCA ($50,000).
Dallas-area recipients are Big Thought ($45,000), Dallas Parks Foundation ($50,000), Dallas Scores ($25,000), The Family Place ($41,000) and Wesley Rankin Community Center ($50,000).
Indianapolis-area recipients are Family Service of Central Indiana ($45,000), Goodwill of Central Indiana ($30,000), Indianapolis Art Center ($30,000), Indianapolis Parks Foundation ($50,000), La Plaza ($50,000), Meals on Wheels ($30,000) and The Damien Center ($40,000).
Seattle/Puget Sound-area recipients are Arts Corps ($50,000), Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound ($50,000), El Centro de la Raza ($50,000), Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle ($40,000), Life Sciences Discovery Fund ($25,000), Performing Arts Center Eastside ($100,000), Seattle Chinese Garden ($40,000), Seattle Goodwill ($50,000), Suquamish Foundation ($50,000) YMCA of Greater Seattle ($65,000), and Youth Eastside Services ($50,000).
Southern California recipients are GLAAD, Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ($50,000), KidWorks ($50,000), OCCCO, Orange County Congregation Community Organization ($40,000), Plaza de la Raza ($50,000), Saint Joseph Ballet ($60,000) and Taller San Jose ($50,000).
Spokane recipients are the YMCA of the Inland Northwest and the YWCA of Spokane for a joint capital project ($100,000).
Safeco Insurance Community Hero Award Recipients:
- Jim Akre of Reedsport, Oregon for his work with Reedsport Education Enrichment Foundation, nominated by Julie Huebner, Fullhart Insurance Agency.
- Marlene Alford of Spokane, Washington for her work with Women's & Children's Free Restaurant, nominated by Christy Marzetta, Andre-Romberg Insurance.
- Joseph Andrew Schueler of Meridian, Idaho for his work with Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County: Meridian, nominated by Jim Fullinwider, All American Insurance, LLC.
- Steven Baker of Lancaster, California for his work with Grace Resources, Inc., nominated by Henry Marvin, ISU-Stephen B. Marvin Insurance Agency.
- Dr. Kenneth Bryant of St. Petersburg, Florida for his work with Bayfront Health Foundation, nominated by Mark Berset, Comegys Insurance Corner.
- Charles Clayton of Fort Dodge, Iowa for his work with Athletics for Education and Success, nominated by Ryan E. Smith, Kingsgate Insurance Center, Inc.
- Rose Crumb of Port Angeles, Washington for her work with Hospice of Clallam County, nominated by Gwyn Callis, Callis & Associates, Inc.
- Edward K. Dick of Bradenton, Florida for his work with Guardian Angels of SW Florida, nominated by Judy A. Ackles, Dick Johnson & Jefferson, Inc.
- Linda Eggleston of St. Louis, Missouri for her work with Lemay Housing Partnership, Inc., nominated by Christine Blood, Charles Meyer Insurance.
- Jay-Marie Garcia of Concord, California for her work with Monument Crisis Center, nominated by Ron Garcia, Jay-Marie Garcia Insurance.
- Betru Gebregziabher of Dallas, Texas for his work with Mutual Assistance Association for the Ethiopian Community, nominated by Tefe Assefa, Manger Gasha Insurance Agency.
- Sister Thomasina Gebhard of Franklin, New Jersey for her work with Catholic Family & Community Services, nominated by V. John Pappalardo, Mitchell Insurance Agency.
- Bradley J. Hafen of St. George, Utah for his work with The Learning Center for Families, nominated by Ginger Farnsworth, Hafen Insurance, Inc.
- Cynthia Hamilton of Spokane, Washington for her work with Hyper-formance, nominated by Kea Woodfill, Accurate Insurance, Inc.
- Dr. David Hilton Kisling of Fort Collins, Colorado for his work with The Salvation Army of Fort Collins, nominated by Rosemary Kisling, Colorado-BW Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Jesse Hunsinger of Greenville, South Carolina for his work with Upstate Challenger Sports, nominated by Tammy Anthony, Smart Choice of South Carolina.
- Sharon Hurt of Nashville, Tennessee for her work with Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, nominated by Debra Alexander Fisher, Alexander and Associates.
- Dora Jacildo of Long Beach, California for her work with Children Today, nominated by Nancy Yoshida, DeWitt Stern of California.
- Kelly Krei of Denver, Colorado for his work with Mile High Down Syndrome Association, nominated by Barrett Bartels, Affordable American Insurance
- Harold and Kay Kutler of Oceanside, California for their work with Brother Benno Foundation, nominated by Ginger Hodges-Rodigo, Michael Ehrenfeld Insurance.
- Joe Malay of Weiser, Idaho for his work with Weiser Public Schools Education Foundation, nominated by Suzanne Hart, The Insurance Group, Inc.
- Kevin McCarthy of Fullerton, California for his work with Boys and Girls Club of Fullerton, nominated by Michelle Scott, Fullerton Insurance.
- Jake Muth of Chino, California for his work with Let It Be Foundation, nominated by Anthony Amorelli, Amorelli, Rosemann and Associates.
- Harold Oswald of Battle Creek, Michigan for his work with Lakeview-Urbandale Kiwanis, nominated by Garry Ray Myrick, Garry Myrick Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Cynthia Parker Robertson of Washington, Texas for her work with Lena Mae Farris Foundation, nominated by Bert Miller, The Miller Agency, Inc.
- Angela M. Romagosa of Longwood, Florida for her work with The Christian Sharing Center, Inc., nominated by Donald Blackadar, Blackadar Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Douglas Schuler of Seattle, Washington for his work with Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, nominated by Judy Roell of Canyon Road Insurance, LDJ.
- Randall D. Tanner of Atlanta, Georgia for his work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, nominated by Betsy McClain of Tanner, Ballew and Maloof, Inc.
- Lee Trevithick of Everett, Washington for his work with Cocoon House, nominated by Scott Thomas, Thomas & Associates.
- Gilbert Yanez of Toledo, Ohio for his work with East Side Boxing Gym, nominated by Abigail Hecklinger-Gerber, Hecklinger Insurance Agency, Inc.
About Safeco Insurance Foundation
The Safeco Insurance Foundation, which was established in 2006 by Safeco Corporation (NYSE: SAF), is a separate 501(c)3 endowment fund totaling $90 million. The Foundation's mission is to support and enrich inclusive communities through joyful engagement guided by the knowledge that forging strong partnerships with community organizations leverages our greatest assets for the greatest effectiveness.
About the Safeco Community Hero Awards
A total of $500,000 was awarded nationwide through Safeco's Community Hero Awards, an initiative of the Safeco Agent Giving Program supporting the civic engagement of Safeco agents. Safeco's Community Hero Awards, in addition to other Safeco Corporation and Safeco Foundation gifts, contributed a total of $7.1 million to towns and cities across the country in 2007.
About Safeco Corporation
Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The company sells insurance to drivers, home owners, and owners of small- and mid-sized businesses principally through a national network of independent agents and brokers. Safeco is also one of the nation's leaders in the sale and service of surety bonds.
