Boys and Girls Club thankful for green neighbor

Last year, State Farm challenged their employees to be a “Green” neighbor as well as a “Good” neighbor, with a contest promoting a community initiative to “go green” in the workplace, marketplace, and neighborhood.

A five-member Catastrophe Services team from North Florida, including Amber Halcrow, Jody Prince, Rafael Solis, Ryan Halcrow, and Torr Gillyard, took up the workplace initiative to reduce environment impact, conserve resources, and manage their expenses.

While handling claims across the nation, the team set up recycling bins at each State Farm office.

Materials including aluminum, plastics, cardboard, and glass were taken to local recycling centers and weighed. The challenge began with a goal of 100 pounds. By year-end, the team had successfully recycled a total of 510 pounds of materials.

State Farm Corporate offices determined that the five-member team from North Florida won the contest that included a donation from State Farm of $5,000 to a non-profit organization of the winning team’s choice.

THE PLAYERS Championship Boys and Girls Club director, Gerson Penza, was recently surprised when State Farm presented them with the generous and unexpected donation that allowed the club to purchase some needed supplies; including new tables, coolers for summer camp and walkie-talkies.

“The donation is allowing us to better serve our members,” stated Richard Hardy; Chairman of the Boys and Girls Club Area Board. “It’s not every day a group walks through the doors with a sizeable check.”

With the Club’s surge in daily attendance to over 100, the funds come at a critical time.

State Farm takes great pride in servicing communities, helping people recover from the unexpected and being a good neighbor just as realize first hand.

The State Farm contribution will stay local even though the Club is a branch of the Boys & Girls Club of North Florida and an affiliate of Boys & Girls Club of America.

The Club provides time tested and nationally accredited after-school programs to all of St. Johns County residents between the ages of 6 to 18 years.

To get involved with The Boys and Girls Club, contact Jennifer Tesori, St Augustine’s Youth Advocate and Community Liaison by phone at 904-669-0107, or visit the Club at 555 West King Street in St Augustine.