No Grinches Here -- Progressive People Spread Holiday Cheer by Giving to Others in Need PROGRESSIVE LOGO Progressive logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] CLEVELAND, OH USA 06/29/2000
19 December 2000
No Grinches Here -- Progressive People Spread Holiday Cheer by Giving to Others in Need PROGRESSIVE LOGO Progressive logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] CLEVELAND, OH USA 06/29/2000
Seven Local Charities Benefit from Progressive Charity Drive
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Dec. 19 With the holidays fast
approaching and outside temperatures dropping, many Greater Cleveland area
residents may find themselves in need of help this year. For the fourth
consecutive year, families in need, foster children and abandoned pets will
benefit from the efforts of the Winter Charity Drive at Progressive's Mayfield
Village headquarters.
Unlike the company's annual United Way campaign, the Winter Charity Drive
is not sponsored by the company, however Progressive people are encouraged to
participate as individuals or groups by giving to one of four charities.
"Every department at Progressive has the opportunity to participate in unique
and creative ways," said Tiona Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer for
Progressive. "We're delighted that so many Progressive people take advantage
of this opportunity to give back to the community." The 2000 charities
include:
Adopt-A-Family: More than 50 Progressive departments donated money and
goods to the needy families in this program sponsored by Lake & Geauga
Counties Children & Family Services Departments. Wish lists of the needy
families were provided and Progressive people went into action. Inez Arsena,
departmental assistant in the Enterprise Technology Group at Progressive says,
"We filled requests for children's bedding, professional work clothes,
parenting books and household furniture. Our group raised more than $9,000;
some managers held team-building events with their groups with each group
participating in a gift wrapping event at an offsite location."
The Giving Tree: Christmas trees decorated with tags listing each child's
first name, age, gender and gift wish are displayed in each building.
Progressive people selected a tag and purchased the requested gifts. Gifts
will be delivered to the Cuyahoga County Children & Family Services Department
in time for the holidays. Last year, Progressive people provided more than
700 wrapped gifts.
Harvest For Hunger: Change jars have been located in all Progressive
cafeterias to collect donations to benefit Harvest for Hunger. Every dollar
donated by employees helps purchase two pounds (equal to four meals) worth of
food for the hungry. Last year, Progressive people donated $2,700, which
translated to more than 21,000 meals for the needy. Additionally, this year,
the Internet Group had a penny war in which six teams collected pennies and
raised $800.
Animal Shelters: Progressive people collected more than 3,000 pounds of
food and 400 blankets for distribution to animal shelters in Lake, Geauga and
Cuyahoga Counties.
Progressive people work on raising money and collecting items on their own
time. "We're delighted by the response from all the people in our department.
Everyone came together to provide wish list items for an entire family in
need," said Sarah Lombard, claims processor in Progressive's 24/7 call center.
"We not only raised cash, but received many donations of furniture and other
necessities. We even got the delivery truck donated by a local company for
transporting all the donations to the respective charities," she said.
Progressive , with headquarters in Mayfield Village, Ohio, is
the nation's fourth largest auto insurance company. In business since 1937,
the company provides all drivers with competitive rates and 24-hour, in-person
and online services. The company sells its products over the phone at 1-800-
AUTO-PRO, online at progressive.com and through more than 30,000 independent
agencies throughout the U.S. More information about the company can be found
at progressive.com .
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