Erie Insurance Group Throws Support Behind Katrina Victims

While Pennsylvania-based Erie Insurance does not have policyholders in the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina, the company is still doing its part in the recovery efforts. The company has launched a two-week campaign to raise money for the victims.

“As thousands of Americans in the South struggle for survival in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many Erie Insurance Group employees and agents asked ‘how can we help?'” noted Jeff Ludrof, president and CEO of Erie Insurance Group. “To assist employees and agents in their efforts to help the victims, our company is coordinating an effort to collect funds, and ERIE will match contributions, dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000.”

In addition to raising much needed money to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, a number of ERIE branch offices, agents and employees are helping Hurricane Katrina victims in a number of other ways:

* 3,500 Serving Together Comfort Kits assembled by ERIE volunteers for the Milwaukee Red Cross Chapter were shipped to the Houston Astrodome where Katrina victims are being moved. Serving Together is a companywide initiative that matches ERIE volunteers with the needs of local American Red Cross chapters. Employees assist the Red Cross in relief and educational efforts throughout the year. In addition to volunteering in the local community, ERIE employees assemble comfort kits to be distributed nationwide. The kits consist of toiletries and other convenience items.

* ERIE is purchasing an additional 5,000 kits to be sent to disaster
relief areas.

* Several Rochester branch employees assisted the American Red Cross during a telethon to raise money for Katrina victims.

* Home Office Serving Together volunteers have offered their assistance to the Erie Chapter.

ERIE has also offered use of its mobile Catastrophe Response Unit (CRU) and employee volunteers to assist the American Red Cross in its recovery efforts.

Topics Hurricane