Industry Responds to Relief Efforts for Southeast Asia Tsunami Victims

The Southeast Asia tsunami disaster has affected the lives and hearts of people throughout the world. What can only be described as one the worst natural disasters in history has led to an estimated death toll of 226,000, and countless others injured or missing. Since the tsunami disaster on Dec. 26, 2004, global citizens have donated millions of dollars to relief organizations to provide aid to the victims, allowing the ravaged countries the opportunity to slowly rebuild.

The insurance industry has been no exception. Here in the West, agent associations and companies have pitched in to raise funds for the relief effort. Below is a recap of the generous who have reached out to assist in this tragedy … we are sure there are countless others we have not included, so please let us know if we have left anyone out.

American Agents:
La Verne, Calif.-based American Agents Alliance began a fundraising campaign for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, collecting money for the nonprofit organization through Jan. 31. Donations were expected in excess of $1,000. American Agents Alliance Executive Director Ken Nigohosian expressed the association’s motivation for coordinating the fundraising campaign. “The American Agents Alliance is glad to offer our members and others a conduit through which they can support the efforts of the American Red Cross to bring assistance to the people of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other affected regions,” Nigohosian said. “The horror experienced by the people affected by the tsunamis of last December is impossible to imagine, and the rebuilding of communities is only beginning. Even as the story fades from the front pages, the massive effort will continue. We encourage everyone to continue supporting the work of the Red Cross, as well as the other charitable organizations providing desperately needed relief to those in need. As a global community, it is up to all of us to do whatever we can to help those whose lives have been devastated by this disaster.”

Safeco:
Seattle-based Safeco, recognizing the extreme devastation that the tsunami caused, matched employee contributions to non-profit organizations by a ratio of two to one. For example, if an employee donated $25, Safeco would match it at $50 for a total gift of $75. Employee contributions to organizations such as the American Red Cross, World Vision, UNICEF, AmeriCares and several smaller organizations from Dec. 26, 2004 to Jan. 15, 2005 reached a total of $108,000, bringing Safeco’s total contributions during this time frame to approximately $325,000.

Fireman’s Fund:
Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund will donate a lump sum of $200,000 to a non-profit organization that is currently being selected. In addition, Fireman’s Fund is matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar on contributions made to the tsunami relief efforts on USA Freedom Corps’ Web site for a three-month period (Dec. 26, 2004 to March 31, 2005). Employees have donated $7,320 as of Jan. 20. There is no limit to the company’s donation matching, which is being divided among four organizations: CARE, the American Red Cross, Save the Children and Direct Relief International.

IBA West:
IBA Sacramento and employees at John O. Bronson, an IBA West member agency, teamed up to donate $12,500 to the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross. John O. Bronson employees collected more than $5,500 and the agency matched the contribution with another $6,000. IBA Sacramento members donated $1,000. Allstate/Encompass Insurance Company reportedly has agreed to send a matching funds check for $12,500.

State Fund:
Employees of California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund organized donations in their departments and district offices, collecting $12,690 for the American Red Cross as of Jan. 27. The employees will continue their tsunami relief efforts to the Red Cross by hosting raffles and Super Bowl fundraisers throughout January and February.

CIWA:
The California Insurance Wholesalers Association donated $600 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. CIWA typically rewards the top three foursomes in its golfing event at its annual Wholesaler Industry Day. Due to poor weather, CIWA decided to send the money to the Red Cross.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Agencies