A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy

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Photographed are Westfield representatives from West Virginia and headquarters, along with agency and industry partners: Arthur Krenzel Lett Insurance Group, Associated FUIG, Dyer Insurance Group, BB&T Carson, Garlow Insurance Agency, Inc., Independent Insurance Agents of West Virginia, Jim Lively Insurance, Mountain State Insurance, Thornburg Agency, Waters Insurance and the West Virginia Insurance Federation.  

Westfield Insurance Foundation presented a $75,000 check toward disaster recovery efforts to the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) earlier this year at the State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia, to help families move back home as soon as possible.

The southern area of West Virginia was devastated by a massive flood back in June 2016 and the lives of many people are still disrupted yet today. “Westfield is committed to disaster recovery because we know these efforts take years and are typically underfunded,” said Ed Largent, Westfield Insurance President, CEO, Board Chair and Foundation Chairman. Westfield Insurance has a deep relationship with our agents and customers in West Virginia. When the flooding occurred, the Foundation made it a priority to assess opportunities that support the needs that remain long after the waters recede and the nation turns its attention to current news.

Westfield partnered with West Virginia’s statewide chapter of VOAD, who works with local member organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, food banks and religious-based disaster response organizations.

This grant focuses on “Winter Warmth for WV.” The majority of the grant is for the costs of professionally installing donated HVAC systems for approximately 20 families whose homes were damaged by the flood. A new HVAC system will keep homes warm and dry to minimize further ongoing damage. The cost of installation runs approximately $3,000 per home and many other families remain in need. A portion of the funds will assist with increasing administrative capacity for WV VOAD staff, as they work across the state with member organizations to address unmet needs throughout 2017.

Westfield Insurance Foundation focuses its charitable resources in ways that mirror the services that Westfield and our agency partners provide every day, which is why disaster recovery is one of our priorities. It’s an extension of the fundamental role that insurance plays in stabilizing families, businesses and communities when the unexpected occurs.