State Farm(R) and Dr. Joy Browne unite to celebrate the achievements of men and women who have inspired others at the fifth annual Embrace Life(R) Awards BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Aug. 26
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- For their courage and dignity
in overcoming loss, thirteen men and women from across the United States and
Canada will be honored today by State Farm at the 2008 Embrace Life Awards
ceremony. This ceremony kicks off the company's other efforts during Life
Insurance Awareness Month in September to support the value and need for life
insurance.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061017/CGTU039LOGO-b)
State Farm created the Awards program in 2004 to raise awareness for women
on how preparing for the future today can help protect families' hopes and
dreams for tomorrow. During the past four years, in addition to revealing
dramatic stories that demonstrated the value of life insurance planning, the
Embrace Life Awards also uncovered heroic stories of perseverance and personal
sacrifice of people that bettered their families and communities.
This year's honorees have powerful stories, which exemplify strength and
the undeniable will to move on after a loss. As 2008 marks the fifth
anniversary of the Embrace Life Awards, State Farm revised the program,
encouraging nominations of both men and women, and recognizing a total of 13
honorees from across the United States and Canada.
This year's celebration began yesterday in Chicago where the honorees
enjoyed a private dinner with radio personality Dr. Joy Browne and State Farm
agents and executives. The celebration will continue today in Bloomington,
Ill. where State Farm will recognize the honorees at a formal ceremony and
present each honoree with $10,000 and an official Embrace Life Award.
Remarkable People; Inspirations to All:
More than 200 people were nominated for the essay contest for their
stories of empowerment after overcoming loss. State Farm chose the 13 most
inspiring people for this year's honorees:
-- Nathan Thompson, 23, Ontario, Canada
-- Nader Dabboussi, 39, Dallas, Texas
-- Ellen Lindeman, 40, Hartsville, Pa.
-- Colleen Phillips, 44, Bradenton, Fla.
-- Carole Brody Fleet, 48, Lake Forest, Calif.
-- Holly Scheie, 51, Billings, Mont.
-- Dawn Douchette, 57, Colorado Springs, Colo.
-- Clare Stringer, 53, Auxvasse, Mo.
-- Mary Baltimore, 56, Gainesville, VA
-- Dorothy Frederickson, 68, Holt, Mich.
-- Rachel David, 71, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
-- James Gillipsie, 79, Cedarville, Ohio
-- Wanda Gross, 53, Alpharetta, Ga.
As executive vice president and chief administrative officer of State Farm
Life Insurance Company, and a former State Farm agent, Susan Waring has seen
first-hand how too many families simply don't take the proper steps to protect
themselves today and in the future.
"Conversations about planning for the unexpected aren't necessarily easy,
but they are conversations that every family needs to have," said Susan
Waring. "Many households either have no life insurance, or do not have enough
life insurance to help cope if faced with the unexpected. The State Farm
Embrace Life Awards program is a wonderful reminder about the importance of
planning today to protect our families' futures."
While all have inspiring messages, three of the honorees stand out for
their particularly powerful stories of strength and perseverance. Each of
these three honorees turned adversity into hope and continue the betterment of
themselves, families and their communities.
Carole Brody Fleet had heard it all from her husband, "Bad things happen
to everyone else," and "We're too young to worry about life insurance --
that's for old people," until she was widowed at the age of 40 following the
loss of her husband to ALS. When Carole first heard these words years ago, she
was a wife and working mother, who, rather than insist on having uncomfortable
discussions, unfortunately chose instead to nod in agreement and drop the
subject. Now, as an author and speaker on widowhood, grief and bereavement
recovery, Carole teaches thousands of women how to financially prepare and
recover from the possible financial devastation when a spouse dies. Carole
also created WidowsWearStilettos.com to provide advice for widows and create a
forum for solace and humor.
Nader Dabboussi lost his young wife Kimberly to breast cancer, just
two-and-a-half years after she gave birth to their second child. "Never think
a terminal illness or sudden death happens to other people and would never
happen to your family," says Nader. "Death can come in different manners and
at any age. It is imperative to protect families financially with life
insurance." Following Kimberly's death, Nader created the Kimberly Dabboussi
Friends and Family Support Fund in her honor, which provides scholarships to
families who cannot afford to send their children to the local child
development center. Nader also encouraged family members to lose a total of
225 pounds so they would live healthier lifestyles.
Ellen Lindeman's community has been inspired by her amazing story of
renewal after she was left to raise two small children when her 33-year-old
husband died of esophageal cancer in 2003. Ellen has given her community
perspective and teaches its members to embrace life as she has. Ellen always
tells others, "Be open to hope, and to be open to help. Pride can get in the
way, but everyone going through this, no matter who they are, needs help,
financial or otherwise." Ellen also founded the Ted Lindeman Outreach
Foundation, a non-profit fund to help alleviate financial concerns for
families who are recovering from the loss of a loved one.
Dr. Joy Browne: Embrace Life Awards Spokesperson, Radio Host and Clinical
Psychologist
Dr. Joy Browne, honored as one of the country's 100 Most Influential Talk
Show Hosts by Talkers Magazine, is the spokesperson for State Farm's Embrace
Life Awards. Dr. Joy brings guidance to her loyal listeners coping with the
emotional upheavals people face every day. She also gives advice on everything
from marriage and workplace issues to planning for the future.
"If people think they can't afford life insurance, they should look and
see if there's something in their lives they can live without or can spend
less on," said Dr. Joy. "Whether it's clipping coupons or brewing their own
coffee instead of buying a large latte, most likely there is some place people
can find a dollar or two. That small change can help buy a stable future
without drastically affecting their lifestyle."
Last night, Dr. Joy addressed the 13 men and women being honored by
thanking them for their inspiration and reinforcing the importance of
financially planning for a family's future. Dr. Joy discussed how running away
from the unpredictable is not the answer, but that people should embrace the
future and focus on the things that will help prepare for it.
For more information about the State Farm Embrace Life Awards program and
this year's honorees, visit http://www.sfembracelifeawards.com or the News and
Events Center at http://www.statefarm.com.
About State Farm:
State Farm(R) insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the
U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in
Canada. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve more than 78
million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada,
and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile
Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State
Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more
information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R).
State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in Mass., N.Y. or Wis.);
State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in N.Y. and
Wis.);
Home Office, Bloomington, Ill.
State Farm International Life Insurance Company Ltd.
Aurora, Ontario
SOURCE State Farm Insurance
