Madison,
29
August
2017
|
11:50 AM
America/Chicago

American Family Insurance joins brand ambassador J.J. Watt to help Hurricane Harvey victims

Summary

American Family will donate $99,000 to help Hurricane Harvey victims and match up to $51,000 more from employee and agent contributions-the result could add up to more than $200,000. Contributions can be made to the Houston Flood Relief Fund on YouCaring.com.

American Family Insurance will donate $99,000 to provide assistance to victims of Hurricane Harvey and match up to an additional $51,000 contributed by its employees and agents, resulting in a potential total contribution of more than $200,000.

“Our hearts go out to the victims of this historic tragedy and we want to do what we can to help them,” said Judd Schemmel, executive director of the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation.

American Family Insurance is making the donation in partnership with its brand ambassador J.J. Watt, star player with the Houston Texans NFL team, who competed collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Watt has pledged $100,000 to the recovery efforts, and his fundraising efforts have brought in millions of dollars pushing his fundraising goal to more than $10 million. Donations can be made to the Houston Flood Relief Fund on YouCaring.com. American Family Insurance corporate, employee and agent donations will be part of that effort, with the initial corporate donation of $99,000 made in honor of Watt’s jersey number, 99.

“We admire and share the passion of J.J. and his family to help the affected people who desperately need it right now. At American Family Insurance, our mission is to inspire, protect and restore dreams. This is an opportunity for us to live those words,” Schemmel said.

American Family employees and agents in Madison are also supporting the efforts of the Watts by contributing hurricane-relief supplies. Most-needed items include new socks, neck pillows, diapers, baby food, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, towels, children's books and new small stuffed animals.

The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County is already serving as a drop-off site for supplies. The general public can drop off items at the Boys & Girls Club development office at 1818 W. Beltline.

American Family Insurance group serves customers in Texas through its subsidiaries Homesite Group, which offers homeowners and renters insurance, and The General, which specializes in auto insurance.

Donations can be made to the Houston Flood Relief Fund on YouCaring.com.

JJ has always preferred to give than to receive. Words can't express how much this means to our family to see so many people coming together! Donors, volunteers and truck drivers-thank you, and to those in need: WE'RE COMING!
~Connie Watt, JJ Watt's mother and vice president Justin J. Watt Foundation

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About American Family Insurance

Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance group, celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2017, is the nation's 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group and ranks No. 315 on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, primarily through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General and Homesite) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web www.amfam.com; Facebook www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter www.twitter.com/amfam.