FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:  Jerry Davies, Farmers Insurance Group
323-932-3662, jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com

Kayla Tucker Adams, March of Dimes
214-403-9852, kadams@marchofdimes.com
 
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Proclaimed July 22nd Farmers Be a Hero for Babies/March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies Day in Dallas
Farmers presents Dallas Division of March of Dimes with a check for $172,000

"Be a Hero For Babies Day" Raises $2.6 Million for March of Dimes nationally
DALLAS, TEXAS, JULY 29, 2009 – With carwashes, golf outings, pancake breakfasts and pie-throwing contests, Farmers Insurance agents nationwide led their communities to raise more than $2 million on July 22 to support March of Dimes programs to give every baby a healthy start in life.
The total amount raised was $2.6 million, more than $600,000 above this year’s goal.  Farmers Insurance also matched public donations to the March of Dimes made online (via marchofdimes.com/farmers) up to $250,000.  That brings Farmers' total contribution to the March of Dimes so far this year to more than $4.1 million.
 Farmers Agents in North Texas came together to host an open house on July 22nd, a day proclaimed as Farmers Be a Hero for Babies/March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies Day in Dallas by Mayor Tom Leppert. Farmers also presented the Dallas Division of March of Dimes with a check for $172,000.

 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 one-day event, organized and led by Farmers agents, is an extraordinary demonstration of how much they care about babies,” said Julie Whitsitt, executive director, March of Dimes Dallas Division.  “With the money raised, the March of Dimes will be able to fund programs such as NICU Family Support™, which brings hope and comfort to families with a baby in neonatal intensive care units.  On behalf of the babies and families who will benefit, the March of Dimes wants to thank everyone who participated in “Be a Hero for Babies Day” and made it a success.”
“Farmers is so much more than just a corporate sponsor of the March of Dimes. If you do not believe me, just look around the communities where Farmers Agents and District Managers live.  Our National Be a Hero Day is a defining day where we get together to show our commitment to the communities we serve and help the March of Dimes SAVE BABIES!!!" said Jim Swope of Farmers Insurance Group, Vice President for North Texas. “We won’t rest until every baby is born healthy and strong.”
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 nearly 18,000 employees and 15,500 agents.
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.

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