In these trying times, it’s an honor to work with so many who give so much for our communities. California Casualty appreciates all that you do, and our employees and executives are proud to be a part of your everyday lives. From disaster relief to prize giveaways, we are dedicated to making a positive impact for you, your peers and your families.
Knowing the toll the California fires took on the people that we insure, the California Casualty Cares Committee of the Advisory Board wanted to assist the many heroes who helped others at their own peril. California Casualty donated $20,000 to the CTA Disaster Relief Fund to help CTA members who have experienced significant losses due to the disasters in California.
California Casualty is also working with other groups, such as the Police Officers Research Association of California, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, California State University System, and the California State Firefighters’ Association, to give an additional $12,000 in donations from the Cares Committee. These donations supplemented $7,500 given earlier in the year to help with the 2017 fires that struck Sonoma and Ventura Counties.
In an effort to remind insureds to check their policies and make sure they have enough coverage to protect against a disaster, California Casualty initiated “Wherever Your Journey Takes You…We’ll be There” Sweepstakes. Bloomingdale, Illinois 8th grade teacher Kathleen Nikides was the grand prize winner. She was surprised with the $25,000 award November 16 during an assembly at Stratford Middle School.
“I’m still flying high, I can’t believe I won. My husband and I will take some time to figure out what we will do with the money,” she said.
Kathleen found out about the contest from the Illinois Education Association, but never thought she’d win.
Teaching for 35 years, 30 years at Stratford, Kathleen loves advocating for students and helping them reach their full potential. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I still love every minute of it. It was great that my students were so excited when they learned that I had won.”
Kathleen is the co-president of the Carol Stream Education Association, which is an affiliate of the Illinois Education Association, and is thankful California Casualty supports education associations. “Thanks to member benefit partners like California Casualty, we feel valued, and that value is very appreciated right now,” she said.
More than 52,000 school administrators, instructors and education support professionals shared their journey and entered the contest.
Knowing how hard firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMTs work, and the danger they put themselves in to keep us safe, California Casualty invited first responders to sign up for the “Better Safe Than Sorry” Work Hard/Play Hard contest. Three winners – in California, Colorado and Oregon – will each be receiving a check for $2,250, to purchase the Liberty Safe of their choice, that they can fill with a collection of provided 5.11 tactical gear – a total prize value of $2,950. We’ll share who the winners are in the next California Casualty Connection.
In an effort to reduce tragic driving deaths and injuries, a total of $12,000 was recently awarded in the Fall Create Real Impact contest, sponsored by California Casualty and Impact Teen Drivers. The Create Real Impact contest encourages the creative efforts of youth ages 14-22 to prevent distracted driving – the number one killer of teens in the U.S.
Grand prizes were awarded for best video, writing, music and art submissions, and to schools that had the most entries. Create Real Impact is one of the many initiatives employed by Impact Teen Drivers to combat dangerous inattentive driving. Your kids, or students at your school, can learn more and enter the 2019 spring contest at www.createrealimpact.com.
TAKEAWAY: Learn more about California Casualty’s commitment to the groups we serve at https://mycalcas.com/community/, and share your pictures and stories about the men and women who make a difference for our communities at our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CaliforniaCasualty.
California Casualty’s 9/11 Red Rocks Stair Climb Team
It’s hard to describe the emotions of being part of the thousands who turned out to honor first responders on the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attack in New York. If you were lucky enough to be a participant, you know the mix of sadness, pride, and amazement that comes with each step at one of the many stair climbs held across the country. California Casualty helped sponsor a half-dozen memorial climbs, from California to Colorado and Ohio to Maryland.
We were honored to join firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement officers and medical professionals to remember the heroes who gave their lives to save others, and to support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its mission of providing emotional and financial help to the families of fallen firefighters. Students and teachers from various schools also attended, learning about the terrible events that day.
California Casualty’s Debbie Harris and Lorelei Seip at the Yellow Springs, OH, Stair Climb
Miami Township Fire-Rescue Chief, Colin Altman, who organized the 150-person climb in Yellow Springs, Ohio, was grateful for California Casualty’s help and presence. “Your field team not only provided snacks and bottled water, but they were supportive and wonderful, making a difference cheering people on,” he said. Chief Altman feels it’s important to teach young people who were born after 2001 about the impact of that day, and not to forget the heroism exhibited by first responders.
California Casualty feels a responsibility to the brave men and women who risk their lives to make our communities safer every day. Following another disastrous California fire season, in early September we donated $2,500 to the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) Police Officers Relief and Education Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund. The fund assists law enforcement members whose homes were damaged or destroyed by wildfire, often while they were working to protect others during the firestorm.
California Casualty’s Jana Charles and Roxanne Dean presenting a donation to PORAC Insurance Benefits Trustees
And in May, California Casualty also had the privilege of participating in two important law enforcement memorial weekends. CEO Beau Brown and Vice President for Account Relations Roxanne Dean attended the California Police Officers’ Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento, commemorating six officers who died in the line of duty in 2017. California Casualty provided the blue light pens used at the evening candlelight ceremony, and is a donor to the California Police Officers’ Memorial Foundation scholarship fund, which aids the families of fallen officers. Roxanne is also an advisor to the Memorial Foundation Board and sits on the Fundraising Committee.
Roxanne and Account Relations Manager Alina Fayerman represented California Casualty at the 2018 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the National Association of Police Organization’s TOP COP Awards, held in the Nation’s Capital. The TOP COP Awards highlight the heroic actions of law enforcers and honors those who lost their lives in the line of duty. While everyone who attended felt moved by the events, Alina summed it up best: “It struck me that our protectors need protecting and their families need our love and support.”
California Casualty has partnered with law enforcement associations for almost 50 years and firefighter organizations for 45 years, and we appreciate their service and sacrifices.
TAKEAWAY:
Learn more about California Casualty’s commitment to first responders at https://mycalcas.com, and share your pictures and stories about the men and women who wear a badge at our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CaliforniaCasualty.
It’s been quite a year for educators. California Casualty is glad to celebrate the progress made despite challenging times.
Once again, we had a great opportunity to meet with the delegates at the annual NEA Representative Assembly (NEA RA), held this July in Minneapolis, and explain the benefits of the NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program provided by California Casualty.
Gathering with 6,000 representatives from around the country is always inspiring. The passion for students and public schools always impresses us. It’s wonderful to reconnect with old friends (many of whom are longtime policyholders) and get introduced to new ones, sharing the importance of membership to an organization like the NEA that fights for the rights of teachers and education support professionals.
Brian Goodman, Assistant Vice President of Field Relations, was working feverishly to catch up with as many NEA members as he could. “The NEA RA is really a remarkable event. It is rewarding to see our genuine leadership connections from across the country and get a chance to interact with 6,000 NEA leaders at one location,” he said.
California Casualty Senior Vice President Doug Goldberg concurs. “This year, the passion and energy at the RA was palpable, understandably with all of the external pressures facing public education,” he said.
Assistant Vice President Lisa Almeida added, “In my 13 years attending the Assembly, this was the best ever. Meeting with NEA leaders from across the country and hearing about their positive interactions with California Casualty and their local Field Marketing Managers is so gratifying.”
Doug said that NEA members took notice of the value and attention they receive from California Casualty. “We learned over handshakes and hugs with our friends and customers how much they appreciate the NEA, NEA Member Benefits and partners like California Casualty. In one example, a past NEA president sought us out to say he’d be switching over soon. The presidents of a couple states’ two largest locals also came to thank us for our local representation.”
Field Relations Vice President Debbie Harris summed it up with, “We often hear praise from delegates about our local reps from their states. They see us as friends and partners. Those relationships are priceless.”
TAKEAWAY:
We love hearing your California Casualty stories. Share them at our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CaliforniaCasualty, or tell your colleagues and family about our exceptional service and have them visit www.calcas.com to learn more about what we do and how we serve you.
May was a busy month for California Casualty as we celebrated the numerous appreciation days honoring you and all of the amazing things that you do. Our Partner Relations team was extra busy stopping by your various locations to say thanks. They loved sharing stories, seeing your smiles and showing how much we appreciate what you and your fellow educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, EMTs, nurses and NPs do for our communities.
In recognition of May as Safe Driving Month, California Casualty was proud to sponsor and congratulate the recipients of more than $12,000 in grants given in the Spring 2018 Create Real Impact contest. Twice a year, students ages 14-22 are encouraged to submit essays or poems, artwork, videos, and music to address the critical teen distracted driving danger.
As the Presenting Sponsor of the California School Recognition Program, California Casualty is proud to make possible the events that honor the 2018 California Teachers of the Year, Classified Employees of the year, and the public schools named as Distinguished Schools.
From the many years that we have been visiting classrooms and listening to educators, we’ve learned that every person or school that is recognized represents dozens more that are doing great things for students, staff and their communities. Members of our organization joined Minnie and Mickey at the gala celebrating the 287 elementary schools named 2018 Distinguished Schools.
California Casualty is also celebrating the four Washington schools named Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The schools demonstrated how they reduced environmental impacts, improved health and wellness of students and staff and provided education on the environment incorporating STEM curriculum. California Casualty is proud to be the Local Sponsor, supporting future environmentalists with financial help, and presenting a special award to each of the schools.
California Casualty is always impressed when we get a chance to honor you and support the many groups that you belong to.
TAKEAWAY: Learn more about the many ways California Casualty gives back to the individuals and groups we serve by visiting www.calcas.com/newsroom.
Read all the articles from the this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
California Casualty supports the many groups we work with in a variety of ways.
Recently, Partner Relations team members Brian Goodman and Tami Phillips paid a special visit to the Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. They presented a token of our appreciation for the group’s heroic efforts during the disastrous fires that struck in October 2017. The deputies not only put their lives on the line for others, but also opened their facility to help coordinate firefighting and support efforts. SCDSA President Mike Vail accepted the plaque for all of the members of the association. A similar presentation was made at the Marin County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Another program California Casualty is proud to sponsor is the National Volunteer Fire Council’s Junior Firefighter of the Year and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year awards.
Please join us in congratulating the winners: Jared Hagen, of the Northwest Fire Explorer Post 1854 in Ohio, is the 2018 Junior Firefighter of the Year, and the 2018 Junior Firefighter Program of the Year is being given to North Carolina’s Gaston Volunteer Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program. They will be formally honored April 20.
In addition, California Casualty has given athletics grants to public schools since 2011. This year, student-athletes at 79 public middle schools and high schools in 32 states will enjoy a more level playing field thanks to the 2018 California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant Program.
Pictured L to R: California Casualty’s Scott McKenna presenting a Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant to Somersworth Middle School softball coach Kaley Waterman, Principal Dana Hilliard with NEA New Hampshire representative Jeff Kantorowski.
Grants totaling just over $83,000 are going to help sports programs impacted by diminishing resources and budget cuts. Some examples include:
Purchasing a tackling and blocking sled to improve safety for the Crosby High School (Connecticut) football team
Outfitting the Somersworth Middle School (New Hampshire) softball team with new uniforms
Providing soccer and track and field equipment for the Santan Junior High School (Arizona) ADAPTS sports program for autistic students
Supplying balls and basic equipment for the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy (California) volleyball and basketball teams
More than $660,000 has been awarded to some 600 schools across the nation since the program began.
TAKEAWAY:
Learn more about the many ways California Casualty gives back to the individuals and groups that we serve by visiting www.calcas.com/newsroom.
Read all the articles from this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
We realize how dedicated you are to making your communities better places. That’s why California Casualty created giving initiatives to say thanks to the members of the affinity groups with whom we work.
Recently, Tucson fire captain Max S. was the recipient of a $5,000 Work Hard/ Play Hard “Choose Your Tools” award from California Casualty. The contest recognized the dangerous work first responders do. Max loved the prize because it’s a gift that will last him a lifetime. “I appreciate California Casualty for understanding how hard firefighters work,” he said.
And New Jersey RN Kellie W., a policyholder herself, started the New Year with a $1,000 Nurses Night Out award from California Casualty. Kellie, a school nurse and a member of the New Jersey Education Association, said, “I was so surprised and honored to receive this prize from California Casualty.”
The Nurses Night Out award was created to thank nurses and nurse practitioners for all they do to keep their communities healthy. The winners can use the $1,000 in any way they wish: hosting a party, a relaxing day at the spa, or taking a much-needed vacation.
Nurse Kellie plans on using the funds for a summer tour of the national parks with her family, but will also treat teachers and staff at the school to a breakfast in the near future.
“California Casualty protects American heroes and we want to show our support to the men and women who take care of America,” emphasized Mike McCormick, California Casualty Sr. Vice President.
TAKEAWAY:
Learn more about the many ways California Casualty gives back to the individuals and groups that we serve by visiting www.calcas.com/newsroom.
Read all the articles from this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
Knowing the toll the California fires took on the people that we insure, the California Casualty Cares Committee of the Advisory Board wanted to assist the many heroes who helped others at their own peril. California Casualty donated $20,000 to the CTA Disaster Relief Fund to help CTA members who have experienced significant losses due to the disasters in California.
In an effort to reduce tragic driving deaths and injuries, a total of $12,000 was recently awarded in the Fall Create Real Impact contest, sponsored by California Casualty and Impact Teen Drivers. The Create Real Impact contest encourages the creative efforts of youth ages 14-22 to prevent distracted driving – the number one killer of teens in the U.S.
Gathering with 6,000 representatives from around the country is always inspiring. The passion for students and public schools always impresses us. It’s wonderful to reconnect with old friends (many of whom are longtime policyholders) and get introduced to new ones, sharing the importance of membership to an organization like the NEA that fights for the rights of teachers and education support professionals.
May was a busy month for California Casualty as we celebrated the numerous appreciation days honoring you and all of the amazing things that you do. Our Partner Relations team was extra busy stopping by your various locations to say thanks. They loved sharing stories, seeing your smiles and showing how much we appreciate what you and your fellow educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, EMTs, nurses and NPs do for our communities.
Recently, Partner Relations team members Brian Goodman and Tami Phillips paid a special visit to the Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. They presented a token of our appreciation for the group’s heroic efforts during the disastrous fires that struck in October 2017. The deputies not only put their lives on the line for others, but also opened their facility to help coordinate firefighting and support efforts. SCDSA President Mike Vail accepted the plaque for all of the members of the association. A similar presentation was made at the Marin County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Another program California Casualty is proud to sponsor is the 
Pictured L to R: California Casualty’s Scott McKenna presenting a Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant to Somersworth Middle School softball coach Kaley Waterman, Principal Dana Hilliard with NEA New Hampshire representative Jeff Kantorowski.
We realize how dedicated you are to making your communities better places. That’s why California Casualty created giving initiatives to say thanks to the members of the affinity groups with whom we work.
And New Jersey RN Kellie W., a policyholder herself, started the New Year with a $1,000 Nurses Night Out award from California Casualty. Kellie, a school nurse and a member of the New Jersey Education Association, said, “I was so surprised and honored to receive this prize from California Casualty.”