America has witnessed an outpouring of emotion and a desire to help after the tragic events of Sept. 11. Following is a list of national facilities and some of the efforts made by insurance organizations to assist in the relief effort:
America’s Survivor Relief Fund
The Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA) and the Independent Insurance Agents Association of New York (IIAANY) established a relief fund to benefit victims and surviving family members of individuals who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The fund was created to direct contributions from IIAA members, their clients, industry professionals and concerned individuals to aid victims and survivors. Contributions to America’s Survivor Relief Fund qualify as tax-deductible to the extent such deductions are available to the taxpayer. Additional partners supporting America’s Survivor Relief Fund include the Independent Insurance Agents of New Jersey, Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut and the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky.
Individual and business contributions to America’s Survivor Relief Fund can be facilitated through electronic fund transfer (EFT), credit card payment or check. Individuals and businesses wishing to make contributions to the fund should go to www.independentagent.com and click on the fund’s logo. A web page explains contribution procedures.
America’s Survivor Relief Fund will accept payment via MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards. To make a contribution via credit card, call InsurBanc toll free at (866) 467-2262.
To contribute by check, send a check made payable to America’s Survivor Relief Fund, c/o InsurBanc, P.O. Box 615, Farmington, Conn. 06034.
Scott Hauge, president of CAL-Insurance Services in San Francisco, announced an effort to get small businesses and insurance agents to contribute to America’s Survivor Relief Fund. Hauge said he is willing to donate up to $5,000 by matching contributions of CAL-Insurance employees, brokers and agents and small business associates.
Send contributions to 2311 Taraval Street, San Francisco, CA 94116-2253. Make checks payable to America’s Survivor Relief Fund. For more information, call (415) 680-2109.
Insurance Industry Charitable Fund
IICF made a donation of $25,000 to aid the families of those injured or killed in the attack.
Until Oct. 9, the IICF will also act as a receiving point for donations, which will be passed on to The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, firefighters, police and search and rescue groups.
Checks should be made out to “IICF – Attack on America” and mailed to Insurance Industry Charitable Fund, P.O. Box 6965, Moraga, CA 94570. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for acknowledgement of this tax-deductible donation. For information, call (925) 944-6465 or visit www.iicf.com.
Sept. 11th Fund
The September 11th Fund was established by The United Way of New York City and New York Community Trust. While the group is based in New York, it will assist victims in all of the cities affected by the events of Sept. 11. It will also support other emergency assistance agencies such as the Red Cross.
Send donations c/o United Way, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or call (212) 251-4035. Donors may specify the community (New York City, Washington, D.C., or other affected areas) where they would like their contributions to help. Contributions are also being accepted on United Way of New York City’s website at www.uwnyc.org.
RBC Financial Group will donate $1 million to the September 11th Fund to assist victims of the tragic events of Sept. 11. The donation is being made on behalf of all RBC’s employees and companies worldwide. RBC has undertaken a number of other activities worldwide in response to the tragedy. In the U.S., RBC Centura branches in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia will be accepting donations to the September 11th Fund and the American Red Cross. In addition, the RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation will match any contributions made by RBC Dain Rauscher employees to the September 11th Fund or other relief efforts.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is the national humanitarian organization led by volunteers to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Contact (800) GIVE-LIF(E) (448-3543), (800) 272-4543, or www.redcross.org to donate funds.
ASAE will be presenting to the Red Cross all contributions received as a collective representation of financial support from its association community.
ASAE has asked for all contributions to be sent to the following address: ASAE Red Cross Fund, ASAE Building, 1575 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.
The American Agents Alliance took a collection at its Conference & Expo 2001 on Sept. 23 to benefit victims of the terrorist attacks and their loved ones. This collection was presented to the Red Cross at the convention. Donations may be sent to the American Agents Alliance, 260 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105, where they will be forwarded to the Red Cross.
American Driving Records, FSC and Classic Plan cancelled their Hospitality Suite at the Alliance Convention, choosing to donate the funds that were to be used for the party to the New York City Fire Department, Police Department and the Red Cross.
The Texas Surplus Lines Association announced it will be sending a donation to the ASAE Red Cross Fund on behalf of all of its members.
Those who prefer to use a credit card may call the Red Cross directly at (800) HELP-NOW, Red Cross Credit Card Donations.
Blood Banks
National Red Cross officials urged that blood donations continue over the next weeks. Potential donors are asked to call (800) GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment. However, America’s Blood Centers is asking donors to make appointments for several weeks from now because the supply is more than adequate and a shortage is feared when the current donations reach their 42-day shelf life. To learn more, please call (888) BLOOD-88 (256-6388).
Salvation Army
To donate funds to the Salvation Army, please call (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visit www.redshield.org.
IBA Orange County raised $2,500 at its 44th Annual Golf Tournament, held at the Strawberry Farms Golf Club Sept. 13, that will be donated to the Salvation Army and Red Cross to help victims of the attacks, according to co-chair Gary Remland.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging those willing to volunteer or make donations to call the Volunteer and Information Helpline, (800) 801-8092, or the New York State Donations Coordination Hotline, (800) 801-8092.
The New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund
The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), working with Locals 94 and 854 in New York, will administer this nonprofit fund to support the many children, spouses and family members left behind by the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who perished in the World Trade Center tragedy. Send donations to the New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund, P.O. Box 3713, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
NYCPPI
The City of New York is accepting contributions to aid the families of police, fire, EMS, and other city employees involved in rescue efforts. Please make your check or money order payable to: NYCPPI, The City of New York, 100 Church Street, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10007. Please include your name and address with your tax deductible contribution to NYCPPI (New York City Public/Private Initiatives Inc.).
Kiwanis Club
According to Sharron Varga of ActionShoppe Insurance Brokerage in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., their local Kiwanis club has donated $500 to the widow & orphans of the firemen and also collected $1,200 at the last meeting to go to the New York and Capital Districts Kiwanis clubs for distribution. Many members of the club are insurance agency and company employees.
Donations may be sent to Kiwanis-Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 6369, Oakland, CA 94603-0369.
Has your organization contributed to the relief efforts? Send us an e-mail at
ijwest@insurancejournal.com.
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