Babies Have a New Hero in Farmers Insurance

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Jul 30, 2010, 12:26 ET

"Be a Hero For Babies Day(SM)" Raises $2.65 Million for March of Dimes

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With local telethons, carwashes, golf outings, pancake breakfasts, pie-throwing contests and a television partnership, Farmers Insurance Group and its agents nationwide led their communities to raise more than $2.65 million in a one-day fundraiser, Be a Hero for Babies Day, on July 22 to support March of Dimes programs to give every baby a healthy start in life.

March of Dimes officials said the funds raised will support urgently needed research and education to help stem the growing crisis of premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death in the U.S.

"This is the fifth consecutive year that Farmers agents have led this extraordinary one-day fundraiser and demonstrates how much they care about babies," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "The funds raised will help support March of Dimes research, education, community services and advocacy efforts on behalf of babies. March of Dimes wants to thank everyone who participated in Be a Hero for Babies Day and made it a great success for families."

"I cannot say enough about the dedication and hard work of our Farmers employees, agents and district managers from across the country," said Bob Woudstra, CEO of Farmers Group, Inc. and a member of March of Dimes national Board of Trustees. "On behalf of everyone in the Farmers family, thank you for sharing in my dedication to help the more than half million babies born too soon, and for giving back to the communities in which we live and work."

As the nation's third-largest personal property and casualty insurance group, Farmers is committed to improving the communities where their customers, agents and employees live and work. Farmers' commitment to the March of Dimes spans more than two decades and includes the time and talents of 40,000 employees, agents and district managers.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

SOURCE March of Dimes