Shanda Swinehart

Vacationing under the Mexican sun, State Farm Agent Shanda Swinehart wasn’t expecting bad news when she answered the phone in Cancun last May.

But she got it, and it was devastating. Her hometown of Greensburg, Kan., had been erased from the map by a monster tornado. Worse, eleven people were dead and dozens had been hurt.

“Greensburg is home; it’s where our customers want to stay. The folks rebuilding here are excited to be part of a new community – one that’s top-notch and eco-friendly.”

– Shanda Swinehart, State Farm Agent

“I did the only thing I could do,” Shanda said. “I set up shop in my hotel over 1,000 miles away and began the claims process.”

The native Kansan was on a plane the next morning. Like 95 percent of Greensburg, Shanda’s home and office had been destroyed. But amid the rubble, her State Farm sign still stood.

Two days later, as residents were allowed back into town, one customer asked Shanda who re-hung her sign. He couldn’t believe it hadn’t been blown away.

“State Farm is there,” Shanda said. “Those were the first words out of my mouth.”