Allstate agency owners earn $8,000 grant for American Red Cross

Nine Allstate agency owners from the Orlando area recently came together to secure an $8,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® Grant to benefit the Central Florida American Red Cross chapter. The grant will support The American Red Cross’ mission to respond to disaster in a moment’s notice by providing relief to emergency responders as well as financial assistance to those affected by the disaster.

By volunteering their time distributing free Allstate Foundation disaster preparedness kits to community members, the agency owners earned $1,000 grants each for the American Red Cross. The Allstate Foundation kits included a first aid kit, an emergency blanket, a flashlight, among other essential items and local resources from the American Red Cross to help area residents prepare. The Central Florida American Red Cross will use the $8,000 grant to further its disaster relief work throughout the state. Disasters affect nearly one million people each year, yet 85 percent of Americans are unprepared for one.

“Our Allstate volunteers see firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing the communities they serve,” said Polette Hernandez-Myers, local Allstate agent. “Following the devastating aftermath of hurricanes in 2017, we know the importance of stepping up to help Orlando community members prepare for any potential disaster.”

The Orlando American Red Cross is one of thousands of organizations this year to receive Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grants secured by agency owners, personal financial representatives and licensed sales professionals on behalf of the nonprofits where they volunteer. The grants support organizations addressing domestic violence, youth empowerment, disaster preparedness, hunger and other causes.

The Helping Hands Grants are one example of The Allstate Foundation’s legacy of service and giving:

• Since The Allstate Foundation was founded in 1952, it has contributed over $449 million to support community nonprofits.
• In 2017, The Allstate Foundation contributed more than $33 million to support local communities.

Participating Allstate agency owners include (in alphabetical order):

• Keishun Cassell , Lakeland
• Ralph Feola, Plant City
• Darien Laboy, Deltona
• Ralph Laera, Longwood
• Darrayl Miles, Kissimmee
• Polette Hernandez Myers, Orlando
• Vicki O’Donnell, South Daytona
• Kerry Ravi, Port Orange
• John Snyder, Sebring