4.23.2007 - 01:07pm ET

(CSRwire) LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2007--We picture newborn babies snug in their parents' arms, wrapped in love. But for the half a million babies born prematurely each year, fighting for life, their first embrace may be from a mini-blood pressure cuff or respirator mouthpiece. That is why the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies' agents, employees and customers will gather at Griffith Park in Los Angeles early Saturday morning, April 28, for WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes' biggest fundraiser that takes place in communities nationwide.

"Farmers has supported the March of Dimes for almost two decades, raising millions of dollars for healthy babies. Today, Farmers is the exclusive national insurance sponsor of the March of Dimes and is proud to be its largest insurance company fundraiser," said Paul Hopkins, CEO of Farmers Group, Inc.

"I am extremely proud of the work the March of Dimes does and the role Farmers plays in supporting this great organization," Mr. Hopkins said. "Working together in 2006, the Farmers family raised $3.2 million for this noble cause. This year we are going to kick it up a notch and raise $4 million to help babies and their families."

Mr. Hopkins continued, "Farmers' contribution will go towards research on the causes of prematurity, education on prevention, and services like family support in neonatal intensive care units in hospitals."

Farmers is making it easy for anyone to participate in their local walks. Farmers' local agent offices are official WalkAmerica registration sites.

"The March of Dimes welcomes Farmers back for the third year of the company's national sponsorship of WalkAmerica," noted Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "As an insurer, Farmers helps families get back to where they belong, and they are helping the March of Dimes get babies back to where they belong -- healthy and strong -- as a national WalkAmerica sponsor in 2007."

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) is the nation's fourth-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the insurers comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 15 million households through 48,000 exclusive and independent agents and district managers. Through support of the March of Dimes, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, award-winning educational programs provided free to schools as well as other safety, civic and arts organizations, Farmers is committed to making a difference in the communities where its agents, employees and customers live and work. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.


Copyright Business Wire 2007

For more information please contact: