Community Involvement
At Western National, being "The Relationship Company®" means that, beyond maintaining strong relationships with our customers, we're continually working to reinforce the strength, health and safety of the communities in which we work and live. Whether we're distributing back-to-school supplies or holiday toys to underprivileged children, helping families in need build new homes, or funding shelters for victims of abuse, Western National's commitment to community is an integral part of the way we do business.
Charitable Contributions
Our charitable giving program supports well-run, tax-deductible organizations in communities in which we do business, which aim to improve the lives of people in need of food, shelter, clothing, etc., or who find themselves in situations where meeting the basic necessities of life is difficult. A few of the organizations where we focus our support include Habitat for Humanity, Cornerstone, Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP).
In 2007, Western National donated to over 70 charitable organizations.
Volunteerism
Our commitment to community involves more than simply direct financial support; Western National strongly encourages employees to volunteer their time to organizations and events that help those in need. In the recent past, employees have represented Western National in the MS Walk and MS Bike Rides, in working with Habitat for Humanity to build new homes, and in spring cleaning for Cornerstone, to name a few. Our sponsorships, fund-matching and paid-day-for-volunteering programs make it easy for Western National employees to get out into the community and make a difference.
Scholarship Program
At Western National, we think it’s important to ensure the leaders of tomorrow get the strong education they need today. That’s why, in 2008, Western National introduced a scholarship program designed to ease the financial burden that college costs put on the families of our employees and independent agency partners. The new Western National Insurance Scholarships provide $15,000 annually in merit-based awards to eligible students planning to begin or continue full-time undergraduate study in the fall of that year. It’s just another way that Western National is working to guarantee the success of our hard-working students and the vitality of our communities for generations to come.
Major Initiatives
VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People)
VEAP was founded on the idea of "neighbors helping neighbors," and it provides a wide range of basic services for people in need. Individuals in Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and South Minneapolis are eligible for VEAP's services. Western National has regularly contributed money, volunteers and necessary items to VEAP-sponsored events, including several food drives, school supply and holiday toy drives, and item distribution opportunities. We support VEAP based on the recognition that its services significantly enhance our community.
www.veapvolunteers.org
Cornerstone
Cornerstone is a Bloomington-based non-profit organization that provides services to families who have suffered from domestic abuse. Western National's involvement with Cornerstone includes financial support and the contribution of volunteers for both the Adopt-a-Home program (regular cleaning of the yard and house exterior of one of their Transitional Homes) and facility cleaning. Through this support, Western National seeks to further Cornerstone's ultimate mission of ending violence in the community.
www.cornerstonemn.org
Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
Working closely with the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is the newest of Western National's major community involvement initiatives. The Crisis Nursery works to prevent child abuse and neglect and to strengthen families, offering services such as 72-hour residential care for children, crisis counseling, parent education and much more. Western National currently provides the support for one child's three-day stay each month, in addition to a contribution of volunteers to a number of the Nursery's operations.
www.crisisnursery.org
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity provides low-income families with home ownership opportunities, charging no interest on the homes that it sells. Since 1985, the Twin Cities Habitat has built more than 600 homes in the seven-county metro area. Western National supports Habitat through financial contributions and employee volunteers who work in teams to help construct the houses.
www.tchabitat.org
Free Arts Minnesota
Free Arts Minnesota is an organization working to heal abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families through artistic expression. Based in Minneapolis and serving the metro area, Free Arts Minnesota provides the children with mentoring, art festivals, tickets to arts and cultural events, and much more. Western National's support for Free Arts Minnesota involves financial contributions and a planned sponsorship of an annual one-day art festival as part of its Free Arts Days program.
www.freeartsminnesota.org
Statement of Condition
