BIG “I” ESTABLISHES KATRINA RELIEF FUND
Fund will aid independent agents, families, industry colleagues
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 2, 2005—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) has established the Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund, in order to assist those whose lives have been tragically altered by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, announces Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt.
“We are trying to do all that we can to help our colleagues, friends and their families who have been affected by this terrible catastrophe,” says Rusbuldt. “In times of such hardship it is important that we band together as an industry, but more importantly, as Americans. We have received overwhelming inquiries from our members and state associations across the country looking for ways to help. These tax deductible charitable contributions will allow independent agents in these devastated communities to pick up the pieces and start helping their neighbors and customers.”
All donations received will assist insurance industry colleagues, including independent agents, brokers, their employees, and their families in the impacted areas.
“We are proud to make the first donation to this fund in the amount of $10,000,” says Thomas Grau, CPCU, president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. “Our contributions are not limited to dollar amounts, however. We have sent hundreds of catastrophe packs to our member agencies that include the basics for agents to work and serve their clients. We have offered to send national staff to the devastated region to assist our member agencies, and we are working on several different methods to help our members handle claims as efficiently and as quickly as possible.”
Checks should be made payable to “Big ‘I’ Katrina Relief Fund” and mailed to:
Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund
c/o InsurBanc
10 Executive Drive
Farmington, CT 06032
If you prefer to contribute via credit card, please go to the Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund site on the InsurBanc Web site at http://insurbanc.com/vsitemanager/smartforms/default.asp.
All funds contributed to the Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund are tax deductible as charitable contributions.
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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