Zurich Challenges Employees to Help Communities in “100 Ways” as Part of its 100 Year Anniversary of Insuring America

(3BL Media) Schaumburg, IL - March 29, 2012 – As part of the year-long celebration of 100 years insuring America, Zurich today announced it is encouraging Zurich employees in North America to take action and give back to communities in “100 Ways” by completing 100+ projects of service for communities across U.S. and Canada throughout 2012. The 100 Ways is designed to help the 10,000 Zurich employees in North America complete 100 projects of service alongside organizations like the American Red Cross, HandsOn Network, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way.

Volunteer opportunities vary from collecting food and building homes for those in need and sharing professional skills such as pro bono legal counsel. 100 Ways also includes a volunteer fair at Zurich’s North American headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill. where employees will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from 35 non-profit organizations in order to align their personal passions and skills with the missions of the charities.

“For 100 years, Zurich has contributed to a rich historical tapestry of a successful and productive America including supporting the communities in which we live and work,” said Kathleen Savio, North America Chief Administrative Officer for Zurich Insurance, member of the Z Zurich Foundation board and Chair of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Chicago/Midwest Division. “Truly caring about people through active engagement and helping to build and sustain our communities is important to our heritage, our 100-year history, and who we are as a company today.”

Community involvement has been woven into Zurich’s fabric for the past century with a number of notable projects including: 

• In 1931 as the impact of the Great Depression spread in New York City, Zurich employees contributed more than $1,800 to relief efforts to help feed children of the swelling ranks of unemployed.
• After the Ohio River flood of 1937 leaves more than one million homeless, Zurich contributed to a record fund-raising amount of more than $1 million from Chicagoans to aid in the relief.
• In 1944, Former CEO Neville Pilling helped raise $500,000 in a short period of time to rebuild Goodwill Industries Chicago’s offices after it was damaged by fire.
• In 1950, a Zurich employee begins a years-long commitment to volunteering as one of the Red Cross’ Gray Ladies. Today Zurich employee teams from seven Zurich offices serve as Ready When the Time Comes local disaster response volunteers in their local communicates.
• Zurich invests time and resources to help build and grow communities and contributed $2.1 million dollars to local charitable causes in 2011.

For more information about Zurich’s 100-year anniversary insuring America, please visit www.Zurichna.com/100

About Zurich
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurance provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as well as other markets. 2012 marks Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees. Zurich first brought its knowledge and experience in workers' compensation insurance from Switzerland to America in 1912 to help its customers take intelligent risks and help build the America known today. Zurich now offers a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, mid-sized and large companies as well as multinational corporations.

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