ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 4, 2012 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, raised $150,000 with a special social media campaign for Make-A-Wish®. For every “share” from the Trusted Choice® Facebook page (
www.facebook.com/TrustedChoice) during the month of August, Trusted Choice® donated $10 to Make-A-Wish.
“Trusted Choice® is very proud with the overwhelming success of this social media campaign in raising money and awareness for Make-A-Wish,” says Dave Evans, Trusted Choice® executive director. “Independent insurance agents and brokers have a strong track record with countless charity efforts in their communities and this is one way for all of us to join forces for a very worthy national campaign. In this phase, we will contribute $150,000 and the excitement and campaign continues as the Trusted Choice® ‘Chopper for Charity’ tours the country.”
Trusted Choice® committed to donating a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $150,000 with this campaign. This Facebook campaign started August 1 and launched a year-long fundraising effort involving the Trusted Choice® “Chopper for Charity.” A Trusted Choice®-themed custom motorcycle designed by the renowned Orange County Choppers to raise money for Make-A-Wish was unveiled recently by Paul “Paul Sr.” Teutul, Sr., Orange County Choppers owner and “American Chopper” star.
The chopper is touring the country as part of a promotion to raise money for Make-A-Wish. The chopper reveal event took place in Old Town Alexandria, Va., down the street from the Trusted Choice®/Big “I” headquarters office, and was recorded for an upcoming episode of the Discovery Channel television show “American Chopper.” The episode is scheduled to air Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 on Discovery Channel at 9 pm ET/PT.
To read more about the “Chopper for Charity,” click HERE. “We are very proud to partner with our adopted charitable organization, Make-A-Wish,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Trusted Choice® president and Big “I” president & CEO. “Independent agents are there to instill confidence and hope in their clients and customers, and that’s what Make-A-Wish does. They’re there for people in their greatest time of need, just like Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents. So it is a great fit, because we have the same goals to help people be whole again, and to be there at their greatest time of need.”
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can have positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Based in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 38 minutes. It has granted more than 212,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; nearly 14,000 in 2011 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
Orange County Choppers builds custom motorcycles for regular riders as well as themed choppers for corporations and is featured on the popular television show “American Chopper,” which is on the Discovery Channel on Monday nights at 9 PM ET/PT. For more information, visit
www.orangecountychoppers.com.
Trusted Choice® educates consumers about the benefits of using independent agents and brokers for their insurance needs: choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support. Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for more than 25,000 independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms and 67 leading insurance companies. For more information, go to www.TrustedChoice.com. # # #