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About State Farm
George Jacob “G.J.” Mecherle, a retired farmer and insurance salesman in Illinois, founded State Farm Insurance in 1922. Originally an auto insurance company for farmers, State Farm presently offers nearly 100 products and services to individuals and businesses all over the United States.
State Farm and Young Americans
When you think of State Farm, the motto, “Like a good neighbor” immediately comes to mind! For State Farm, being a “good neighbor” means being involved in Colorado communities by supporting the Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
State Farm’s relationship with Young Americans began over a decade ago. In 2004, State Farm sponsored O’Connell Middle School in Lakewood so that its 7th graders could participate in International Towne for the first time. State Farm handed students keys to the Towne! This was just the beginning of a long and generous partnership.
Over the years, State Farm support has grown financially; but its commitment to directly support deserving students has not changed. State Farm grants allow low-income students from all over Colorado to attend both Young AmeriTowne and International Towne. Funds provide for teacher curriculum, teacher instruction, student materials, and of course the actual day in Towne experience. Schools in our “Send-a-School” Program could not afford to attend without the financial assistance of partners like State Farm. State Farm has committed to sending six such schools to Young Americans in 2015.
In addition to funding schools’ participation, State Farm grants have also supported the materials each student needs to prepare for his or her day in Towne. Students attending Young AmeriTowne or International Towne each receive a workbook to help guide them through the lessons they need to be ready for Towne. For example, the Young AmeriTowne workbook contains lessons about free enterprise, economics, banking, money management, government, communications, and philanthropy. The workbooks also contain a short pre-test and post-test to help students, teachers, parents, and Young Americans evaluate how much is learned. State Farm helps ensure that every future citizen of AmeriTowne or International Towne receives their own workbook.
Young AmeriTowne citizens recently had the pleasure of 
witnessing State Farm’s kindness first-hand. On Tuesday, April 7, State Farm employees visited Young AmeriTowne to present citizens with a $30,000 check! As in prior years, funds will help send more students to Young AmeriTowne and International Towne and will help publish and distribute student workbooks.
The Young American Center is grateful for State Farm’s consistent support for financial education. State Farm has helped make it possible for more than 400,000 Colorado young people to participate in hands-on financial education experiences such as Young AmeriTowne and International Towne. State Farm is truly a good neighbor!
