Just in time for winter weather, Aviva USA employees will provide coats and boots to more than 300 McKinley Elementary students on 28-29 October.
Just in time for winter weather, Aviva USA employees will provide coats and boots to more than 300 McKinley Elementary students on 28-29 October. The gift is made possible through the Aviva USA Charitable Foundation. McKinley Elementary offers a 100% free-and-reduced cost lunch program, indicating that the school serves some of the neediest families in the Des Moines area.
“We are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and investing in the communities where we live and work,” said Chris Littlefield, president and CEO of Aviva USA.
”We are committed to this program and in helping the thousands of children that have benefitted from the coats and boots program in the past several years.”
Approximately 60 Aviva employee volunteers will assist with the program this year by helping either with the "try-on" day or when the coats and boots are provided to the children this week. Earlier this month, every child took part in the "try-on" day to ensure they received coats and boots that fit.
“We serve a very transitory population at McKinley Elementary and for many children, this will be their first winter in the Midwest,” said Travis Jacobs, McKinley’s SUCCESS case manager. “Given the economic challenges facing these students’ families, many of our children simply would not be prepared without Aviva’s help. This donation is very much appreciated.”
Aviva and its predecessor companies have been involved in the annual coats and boots program since its inception in 1994. This year marks the 17th winter that Aviva has ensured that students – from Head Start through fifth grade – at a Des Moines-area school receive a new, properly fitting coat and pair of boots. Aviva works with local partners Kohl’s and Shoe Carnival which provides the coats and boots to Aviva at a discount.
This project is a part of Aviva’s commitment to serving its communities and complements the company’s Street to School program, a global initiative designed to help get children off the streets and into school. Through Street to School, Aviva USA develops volunteer opportunities that support early-learning initiatives, literacy development and programs that re-engage students in an effort to increase graduation rates.
-ends-
Media contact:
Kevin Waetke
Director, Public relations
Aviva USA
(515) 342 3822
kevin.waetke@avivausa.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva USA
Aviva USA is a sales leader of fixed indexed annuities and fixed indexed life insurance. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, Aviva USA also has offices in Topeka, Kansas, and Melville, New York. In the United States, Aviva has approximately one million customers and employs nearly 1,500 people across the country. Aviva USA is part of Aviva plc, and can trace its presence in the United States back to the late 1800s.
Aviva USA corporate responsibility
Aviva USA is committed to positively impacting the communities in which it operates. We demonstrate our corporate responsibility by working with our people, looking after our customers, taking care of the environment, reaching out to our communities and promoting a sustainable approach to doing business.