The Allstate Foundation, Points of Light, Advocate for Disaster Preparedness in Northern Virginia

Thunderstorms and other hazardous weather have already made their presence felt in the area this summer, and with that in mind Allstate agency owners and other community volunteers took action at last weekend’s Taste of Reston festival.

The Allstate Foundation and Points of Light — the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service (according to its website) — set up a booth and advocated for emergency preparedness to local residents in attendance.

Visitors received more than 1,000 disaster preparedness kits courtesy of the partnering organizations. The event was part of a nationwide disaster preparedness and education tour.

Research has shown nearly 85 percent of Americans are unprepared for disasters, according to Points of Light, and when disaster strikes those who are unprepared pay the price in the form of property damage and even loss of life. Research also shows nearly half of Americans lack emergency supplies necessary in the event of a disaster.

Image credit: Points of Light