Farmers Insurance Kicks Off the New Year with Midwest Launch Of 'Thank A Million Teachers'

CHICAGO, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance, one of the nation's largest multiline insurers today celebrated their recently announced "Thank A Million Teachers" initiative with a special launch event in Chicago. Joined by educational leaders Jesse Sharkey, Vice President of the, Chicago Teachers Union, Dalia Torres with Chicago Public Schools and Cindy Wulbert, Principal of The Nettelhorst School, Farmers invited students and parents across the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest to make 2014 the year to "Thank A Million Teachers."

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The Farmers Thank A Million Teachers program provides an easy way for individuals to send a personal thanks to the educators who have made a difference in their lives and the lives of their children.  As part of this countrywide effort, Farmers has also committed up to $1,000,000 in funds to classrooms and education programs throughout the country.  The public is invited to submit their notes of gratitude to their favorite teachers via ThankAMillionTeachers.com.  Once a teacher has received a "thanks," they are eligible to submit a brief proposal for their chance to win a grant valued at up to $2,500 for use in their classroom through the end of October 2014.  Beginning in March, the public will be invited to vote on these proposals, and throughout 2014, 150 winners from across the nation will be selected.

Farmers has a rich 86-year history of helping consumers make smart insurance decisions. The company provides award-winning training to agents and employees so they can help consumers become educated about their insurance decisions, and plan smartly for their futures. In a similar way, teachers in communities across the state play an integral role in helping our children learn, grow smarter, and plan ahead to help build a better future.

"We are honored to be here in Chicago today to spread the word about 'Thank A Million Teachers' and encourage individuals across this region to share their gratitude for a teacher who has made a difference in their lives," said Randy Rice, National Manager of Education Programs for Farmers Insurance. "What better way to enter the New Year than to acknowledge those who have helped get you where you are today. We invite everyone to join us in making 2014 the year we say thank you to a million teachers."

In partnership with several of its supporters in the education community, including the Education Commission for the States, the American Association of School Administrators, the National Council for the Social Studies and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, among others, Farmers will further raise awareness of this important and innovative program through additional regional events in Austin and Los Angeles in the coming weeks. Earlier this week, Farmers hosted an event in Washington, DC.

Visit www.ThankAMillionTeachers.com to share your note of gratitude for a teacher today and to learn more about how together we can Thank A Million Teachers in 2014.

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer group of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders. Farmers Group, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, manages the non-claims insurance operations of the Farmers Exchanges. Farmers Group, Inc. is wholly owned by the Zurich Insurance Group. For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance

SOURCE Farmers Insurance