• by Tanya Gazdik , January 24, 2018

Farmers Insurance conducted several charitable endeavors, including one featuring its brand ambassador, top golfer Rickie Fowler.

The PGA Tour star joined students from Champions for Youth organizations for the eighth annual Farmers Insurance Open Youth Event. From putting lessons, to target practice alongside ESPN’s Michael Collins, students received first-hand instruction. The activities are held in conjunction with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

Fowler and fellow tour pros Billy Horschel, Ben Crane, Maverick McNealy, as well as Norman Xiong, joined more than 80 students at the activities. As an alumnus of Pro Kids — The First Tee of San Diego, amateur star and member of the 2017 U.S. Walker Cup Team, Norman Xiong, was a highlight for those in attendance from his First Tee alma mater. Xiong will participate in the tournament this week on a sponsor’s exemption.

“We look forward to this event every year because it provides us an opportunity to give back to the youth of San Diego,” said Steve Brown, head of zone field operations for Farmers Insurance, in a release.  “We believe education can provide students the abundant opportunities life has to offer, which is why we are proud of our longstanding work with Pro Kids — The First Tee of San Diego and all the Champions for Youth organizations.”

The shared commitment to encourage education and help students grow is the backbone of The First Tee relationship with Farmers, which has an ongoing commitment to giving teachers across America the ability to make a big impact in their classrooms through its Thank America’s Teachers program. Thank America’s Teachers has provided more than $4 million in educational grants to hundreds of teachers.

Farmers also announced an initiative to help support disaster recovery efforts in Houston. The insurer is sending hundreds of employees to assist in post-Hurricane Harvey rebuilding in 2018.

As part of the insurer's longstanding commitment to support communities impacted by a disaster, Farmers Insurance agents and employees will travel to Houston and assist in helping rebuild areas affected by the devastating hurricane. In addition, Farmers® has already donated $400,000 to SBP, a non-profit that helps rebuild homes after disasters.

Farmers will be constructing pre-fabricated walls throughout the tournament week. These pre-fabricated panels will serve as the frames for homes for SBP families and be distributed back into communities. PGA Tour players are also contributing to the effort and will assemble disaster preparedness kits for families affected by natural disasters this year.  The company’s mobile claims center is also serving as the location for player scoring on the South Course, providing players a firsthand look at the technology which help support communities impacted by disasters.

Farmers Insurance and SBP previously supported rebuilding efforts after Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey, the floods in New Orleans and the tornado in Joplin, Mo.