Youth volunteers from Saugus High School and UCLA, along with State Farm’s Scott Wilk Jr. and Stephanie Flores helped to repair the home of a veteran who was affected by last July’s Sand Fire. State Farm’s Disaster Services Grant program generously donated $20,000 to Habitat for Humanity San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys (SF/SCV) for disaster relief efforts needed after the Sand Canyon Sand Fire burned 41,432 acres of land, caused the evacuation of 10,000 homes, and destroyed 18 buildings.

“State Farm showed genuine kindness and generosity today. They put their heart and hard day’s work in giving back to a Veteran who has given so freely to us,” said Donielle De Leon, Director of Corporate and Community Engagement for Habitat for Humanity San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys. “They provided peace of mind to a family who suffered the Sand Fires, sacrificed and allowed their home to be used as a staging area in order to once again protect others. State Farm and our youth volunteers built a wall, so this family wouldn’t have to worry about mud slides. Thank you State Farm for showing us the value of the human spirit!”

As part of their contributions, State Farm also showed commitment to the engagement of youth volunteers. Over 20 volunteers donated their Saturdays to help build a retaining wall on a property in the disaster zone. Water used to fight these fires, along with the devastation of vegetation that holds soil in place and provides barriers, prompted the City of Santa Clarita to mandate homes in the affected hilly areas to build retaining walls in order to prevent mudslides. These volunteers helped to dig a 200+ foot ditch into which a retaining wall will be built. Tori, a Saugus High School student said “We love supporting our community and especially helping Veterans.” Her enthusiasm is shared by her peers who have all also volunteered to help build our 78-home Enriched Neighborhood® for low-income veterans in Santa Clarita.

Contributions from companies like state farm, along with the increased capacity to engage youth volunteers and the greater community, help to alleviate areas affected by disaster, and more importantly, the families affected.

About State Farm®:
The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 82 million policies and accounts – nearly 80 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2015 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

About Habitat for Humanity San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys
Habitat for Humanity, San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys’ mission is to build affordable homes for low-income civilian and veteran families, and provide services that empower them to build brighter futures as homeowners.

Habitat SF/SCV is a locally run, independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving North Los Angeles City and County, building houses and futures for low-income families. We partner with our sister agency, Homes for Families® to specialize in building Enriched Neighborhood® communities which hold the promised to move low-income families up into the middle class. Founded in 1990, we are currently building over 150 homes for low-income veterans in collaboration with the California Department of Veterans Affairs.