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By Matt Skryja
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., March 1, 2013 – The Community Safety Foundation, funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange, is proud to announce the awarding of three large grants to nonprofit organizations across the country. The donations bring the total amount of grants awarded by the Foundation in 2012 to $2.5 million.
"Through our philanthropic work, we are helping to improve the safety and quality of life in the communities we serve," said Rose Guilbault, Community Safety Foundation president.
Donations were granted to the following organizations:
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
Wildfires have destroyed an average of 3,000 structures annually over the last decade, and it's estimated that more than 45 million homes in 70,000 communities in the United States are at risk from wildfires. IBHS conducts objective, scientific research to help strengthen homes, businesses, and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss.
The Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to support IBHS' Evaluating Ember Project. Wind-driven embers from wildfires are the most common cause of property loss from wildfires. Results of this research will help policyholders, community leaders, and educational associations make property safer and more resistant to wildfires.
Disability Rights Advocates
People with disabilities are disproportionally at risk and often the first to perish when man-made and natural disasters strike. Past disasters like Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and wildfires in Los Angeles County have demonstrated that most cities are not prepared to meet the unique needs of residents with disabilities in an emergency.
The Foundation gave a $75,000 grant to support DRA's Saving Lives Project, which aims to ensure that emergency preparedness plans in cities and counties respond effectively to people with disabilities, including senior citizens and people living with a chronic illness.
"A donation like this means thousands of residents with disabilities will now have a better chance of survival when the next disaster strikes," said Larry Paradis, Disability Rights Advocates Executive Director.
Collision Repair Education Foundation
The Collision Repair Education Foundation provides financial assistance for and improves teaching materials and equipment in secondary/post-secondary collision school programs.
The Foundation has awarded the Collision Repair Education Foundation $50,000 for an Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant. The grant will be awarded to a Northern California school with an auto collision repair program. The winning high school or post-secondary school’s collision program will receive $50,000 worth of tools, equipment and supplies. Enhancing the education experience will help provide current and future students with a better technical education and training.
“I commend the Community Safety Foundation for stepping in to provide a Makeover grant. The grant will help build a stronger foundation for collision programs, by providing the tools necessary for leading edge collision repair instruction,” said Clark Plucinski, Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation.
About the Community Safety Foundation
The Community Safety Foundation is a private nonprofit organization funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange. The Foundation was launched in 2012, and 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 by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange. The Community Safety Foundation is also dedicated to expanding on the personal philanthropic efforts of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange employees by supporting a charitable matching gift program.