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Chicago, Ill., May 25, 2004 -- Forget Me Not Days, the annual street corner fundraiser of Bankers Life and Casualty Company, has raised over $84,000 for local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association.
"This year's results far exceeded our expectations," said Dan Veto, senior vice president of Marketing at the Chicago-based Bankers, which created and sponsors the event.
"Through fundraising and donations, Bankers has contributed more than $500,000 to the Alzheimer's Association over the last three years," he said. "But what's really wonderful about Forget Me Not Days is that 100% of the proceeds stay with the Alzheimer's Association chapter in each community to fund local programs."
About 1,000 volunteers from Bankers took to the streets May 7 and 8 to collect donations from passersby. Volunteers collected in 50 cities, thanking contributors by handing out packets of Forget-Me-Not seeds. Over 100,000 seed packets were exchanged for donations. Organizers say they hope those seeds will be planted in honor of the 4.5 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's.
This year, participating Bankers branch offices collected in: Springdale, Ariz.; Ft. Smith, Ark.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Little Rock, Ark.; Camarillo, Calif.; Citrus Heights, Calif.; Fresno, Calif.; Modesto, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Van Nuys, Calif.; Lakewood, Colo.; West Hartford, Conn.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Miami, Fla.; Pensacola, Fla.; Singer Island, Fla.; Tampa, Fla.; Chicago, Ill.; Fairview Heights, Ill.; Palos Hills, Ill.; Lafayette, Ind.; Muncie, Ind.; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Baton Rouge, La.; South Portland, Maine; Framingham, Mass.; Mashpee, Mass.; Livonia, Mich.; Traverse City, Mich.; Duluth, Minn.; Edina, Minn.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Cary, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Concord, N.H.; Matawan, N.J.; Parsippany, N.J.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Tulsa, Okla.; Eugene, Ore.; Portland, Ore.; Erie, Pa.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Richmond, Va.; Bellevue, Wash.; University Place, Wash.; De Pere, Wis.; Germantown, Wis.; LaCrosse, Wis; Wausau, Wis.
"What's great about Forget Me Not Days," said Ron Champagne, vice president, development for the Alzheimer's Association, "is that not only does it raise money, it makes people aware of the Alzheimer's Association. Just by being out there on street corners, in good weather and bad, bringing the disease to the attention of the public, Bankers is doing a tremendous service."
"That's critical at a time when the Alzheimer's Association is inviting Americans to join us in advocating for a renewed commitment to research and improved care for those with Alzheimer's," he added.
The Alzheimer's Association is the largest source of private funding for Alzheimer's research and the premier source of information and support for Americans currently living with the disease. Alzheimer's affects about one in 10 people over the age of 65 and nearly 50 percent of those over 85.
About Bankers Life and Casualty Company
Established in 1879 and headquartered at the historic Merchandise Mart in
downtown Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses exclusively on
the financial security needs of seniors. The company offers a broad portfolio
of health and life insurance and retirement savings products designed
especially for seniors. These products are distributed through a national
network of professionally trained company agents.
Visit us online at www.bankers.com.
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