South Florida's Alicia Ewen Named Volunteer of the Year and National Jefferson Award 'Champion'

MIAMI, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate is proud to announce Alicia Ewen (Uh-LISH-uh YOU-in) of Coconut Creek as Allstate's Helping Hands Volunteer of the Year. Selected from dozens of nominations, Ewen was chosen for her efforts to make the dream of home ownership a reality for deserving families across South Florida.

Ewen contributes countless hours of volunteer time to build homes for families in need in her own community and around the world. For more than six years, Ewen has worked with Habitat for Humanity of Broward County, totaling more than 850 hours of volunteer work. She spent three weeks of her personal vacation time to participate in a five-day home build in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and has participated in home build trips in Los Angeles; Birmingham, Alabama; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Gulfport, Mississippi.

"The spirit of volunteerism Alicia brings to her community is extraordinary. Her helping hands have helped many families realize the dream of home ownership and the pride that comes with that," said Vicky Dinges, vice president of public social responsibility at Allstate. "She is a leader among the many Allstate agents and employees who give their time and talents to make a positive impact in their communities, and we are proud to have her represent our company."

The Helping Hands Recognition Program acknowledges Allstate volunteers who embody the spirit of giving back to the communities in which they live and work, and honors their service to those communities. Each year, Allstate partners with the prestigious Jefferson Awards for Public Service, one of America's leading volunteerism recognition institutions, to select its top employee volunteer, who was chosen by a Jefferson Awards selection panel. Due to her exemplary service to her community, the Jefferson Awards also selected Ewen as one of two Americans to receive the honor of being named a Jefferson Award "Champion" this year.

As Volunteer of the Year, Ewen received a $5,000 check from the Allstate Foundation to present to the charity of her choice, Habitat for Humanity of Broward County. Ewen received her award at the Jefferson Awards National Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 21.

"Allstate has been extremely supportive of my efforts to help underprivileged members of my community, and I am honored they are recognizing me with this award," said Alicia Ewen. "To receive the additional Allstate funding support to Habitat for Humanity of Broward County that comes with this recognition means so much to me personally and to countless families in need, as well."

In addition to her work building homes, Ewen recently graduated from the Coconut Creek Community Emergency Response Team program, where she received certification in first aid, CPR and AED usage. Her training also included search and rescue, fire suppression and medical disaster instruction. Putting these certifications to full use, Ewen is now volunteering at local events providing first aid and emergency preparedness.

An Allstate employee for 15 years, Ewen currently works as a leader of a specialized unit of investigators who partner with local law enforcement to fight insurance fraud. She is a graduate of Purdue University.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

SOURCE Allstate