"Be A Hero for Babies Day" Seeks to Raise $1 Million Dollars In One Day for March of Dimes

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., JUNE 5, 2006 – With an ambitious goal of raising $1 million in a single day, the March of Dimes and Farmers Insurance are urging the public to unite on June 14 for “Be a Hero for Babies Day'' and join the fight to stem the growing crisis of premature birth in the United States.

Farmers Insurance, based in Los Angeles, says it is so concerned about the alarming rate of premature birth – 1 in every 8 babies is born too small and too soon – that it will match up to the first $250,000 of public donations to “Be a Hero for Babies Day.''

“We are committed to providing the support the March of Dimes needs. If you know someone who has had a premature baby, we hope you will join our campaign to help get premature babies the help they need,'' said Paul Hopkins, Farmers CEO. “It's easy to do. Just drop by the office of any Farmers Insurance agent and give a tax deductible contribution, or visit our website at farmers.com and use the easy online donation tool. When you do, Farmers will match your contribution to make sure your dollar goes twice as far in the fight to save babies from disability and death.''

 “I challenge everyone to visit marchofdimes.com/farmers or their local Farmers agent to make a donation to help the March of Dimes end this national prematurity crisis for babies and their families,'' said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “We need to fund vital research to find the causes of prematurity and help the more than 500,000 families affected every year. Every dollar counts.''

As the nation's third-largest personal lines 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 a decade and includes more than $12 million to “get babies back where they belong.”