State Farm(R) Teams With Habitat for Humanity(R)To Ensure Homes Are Equipped For Disabled Veterans

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As crowds cheer on the State Farm Sea to Shining Sea riders, their efforts will do more than just rally the riders.  These supporters will also be helping to raise money to ensure future Habitat for Humanity homes have the features necessary to be fully equipped for use by disabled veterans.

"It's a long ride across America and a sustained show of support and encouragement will help motivate these riders as they make the arduous 4,000 mile trek," said Joe Formusa, Senior Vice President, State Farm Insurance.  "While State Farm agents and other supporters will be there to cheer riders and welcome them to cities and towns big and small, we wanted to do even more.  And thanks to our relationship with Habitat for Humanity, now participants in this ride will be able to leave behind a legacy that helps disabled veterans for years to come."

For every person signing a traveling banner of support at ride stops, State Farm will donate $1, up to $100,000, to fund installation of accessibility features such as ramps, low-hanging cabinets and special kitchen and bathroom fixtures in Habitat houses being built with veterans and their families.

The Sea to Shining Sea team of exceptional athletes, many of whom are wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans representing all military branches, will depart from the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, May 22 for World T.E.A.M. Sports' inaugural bike trek across America . The goal of Sea to Shining Sea is to honor the courage of our service men and women, recognize the strength of the American spirit and challenge perceptions of how we view athletes. The ride will conclude in Virginia Beach on July 24.

The cyclists will test their physical limits and inspire people, disabled or not, to live active and enriched lives. The group will cycle through deserts, mountain passes and historical landmarks providing dramatic proof that disabled Americans can lead productive lives and accomplish feats most people only dream about.

State Farm is proud to sponsor the Sea to Shining Sea ride across America as a way to show support for service men and women and their commitment to being there for our country. In addition to funding, State Farm agents across the country will be there for all 63 days of the Sea to Shining Sea ride, serving as community coordinators -- providing local information, helping with logistics and route planning, and rallying folks to turn out to celebrate the riders along the way.  

For more information and to follow Sea to Shining Sea online, go to s2ssbikeride.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.

About State Farm®

State Farm 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 17,700 agents and 68,600 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 78.7 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. 34 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.

About World T.E.A.M. Sports

World T.E.A.M. Sports is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating soul-stirring opportunities for individuals of all abilities through the power of sports. By bringing athletes of all cultures, with and without disabilities together as one TEAM, World T.E.A.M. enables fully inclusive TEAMS to accomplish goals beyond what is thought possible. World T.E.A.M. Sports recognizes sports as the true global commonality and believes that through such activities, the world can grow stronger and unite as powerful communities. World T.E.A.M. Sports is more than an organization, it is a movement to change the way the world perceives athletes.

SOURCE State Farm; Sea to Shining Sea