Making the world a better place
At American Family, caring for our customers is integral to the way we do business. But giving back to those in need isn't limited to our customers. We also help strengthen communities around the United States and beyond.
Why? Because it’s the right thing to do.
So, when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, killing more than 200,000 people, American Family proved that our concern for others knows no boundaries.
The company organized a campaign to raise $50,000 through agent and employee donations, matched by the company. Right away, donations exceeded the $50,000 target, so the match was raised to meet the steady flow of heartfelt contributions.
"The outpouring of support was just tremendous," says Judy Lowell, community relations manager.
Ultimately, 560 agents and employees raised $70,000, which the company matched. We added an extra $10,000 for the aid organization Partners in Health.
A grand total $150,000 was given to the Red Cross, Partners in Health, the Salvation Army and 64 other organizations helping Haiti.
American Family also rose to the occasion in 2010 by giving back to others in another way – sponsoring the National Kidney Foundation's U.S. Transplant Games, held between July 30 and Aug. 4 in Madison, Wis.
More than 1,000 transplant recipients from the United States and several foreign countries competed in a dozen sports, raising awareness about the value of organ transplantation and donation.
American Family's $50,000 sponsorship focused on a 5K run/walk, a national donor family quilt exhibit and a living donor recognition event featuring American Family President and Chief Operating Officer Jack Salzwedel, who shared the story of donating a kidney to his brother, Chris.
"I know firsthand how life-changing organ donation is, and I know we have agents and employees who have given or received organs, too," says Jack.
Numerous American Family volunteers also contributed their time and talents to the event, which drew thousands of spectators.
Make no mistake, American Family's response to Haiti and its support for the U.S. Transplant Games in 2010 were not isolated cases of goodwill.
They are part of our long tradition of giving back to communities everywhere to help make the world a better place.
