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WALNUT CREEK, Calif., June 20, 2012* – The Community Safety Foundation, a private nonprofit organization funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange, today announced a $1 million donation to the American Red Cross to fund disaster training and preparedness efforts.
The donation marks the first major donation from the newly created Community Safety Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the safety and security of the communities served by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange by making strategic philanthropic grants to improve community safety and disaster preparedness and provide consumer and insurance education.
“This generous donation brings together two of the most trusted brands in America: AAA and the American Red Cross,” said American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter CEO Harold Brooks. “These funds will help provide free disaster preparedness training to thousands of residents in all the regions where the insurance company has employees, including right here in the Bay Area. This donation marks one of the biggest one time donations by an insurance company-funded nonprofit foundation to the American Red Cross.”
The creation of the Community Safety Foundation, along with the presentation of the American Red Cross donation, was announced during a press conference today in Burlingame, California attended by Brooks, AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange CEO Paula Downey and Community Safety Foundation President, Rose Guilbault. During the press conference, more than 300 insurance company employees received general disaster preparedness training, as well as basic first aid and CPR skills. The employee training was made possible through a separate American Red Cross donation made by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange as part of its commitment to improving safety.
“The American Red Cross is a natural fit for our foundation,” explained AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange CEO Paula Downey. “Both organizations are dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives after tragedy strikes.”
As part of the Red Cross donation, the first 200 organizations that sign up for free disaster preparedness training will receive a complimentary preparedness backpack filled with many of the essentials needed during the first 72 hours of a disaster event. Community members, schools, employers and others interested in participating in the free training can visit www.redcrossbayarea.com for details and sign up information. You do not have to be an AAA member to participate.
In addition to funding free disaster training, the donation will also support the American Red Cross Ready Rating program. Ready Rating is a free, self-guided online program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. To learn more visit www.readyrating.org.
Launched in 2012, the Community Safety Foundation is a private nonprofit organization funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange. The Foundation makes strategic philanthropic grants to improve community safety and disaster preparedness, provide consumer and insurance education and contribute to the quality of life in the communities served bythe insurance company. The Community Safety Foundation is also dedicated to expanding on the personal philanthropic efforts of company employees by supporting a charitable matching gift program.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org or contact your local chapter.
Jenny Mack
(415) 806-6189
Jennifer.Mack@goAAA.com
Cynthia Shaw
(408) 666-6857
Cynthia.Shaw@redcross.org
The AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange offers automobile, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance to AAA members through partnerships with AAA clubs. It is one of the largest personal lines insurance companies in the United States and is rated A+ by A.M. Best.
*Revised July, 2012