State Farm® Companies Foundation Commits to Another Three-Year Cycle of Funding for Youth Service

Dropping the “National” to Global Youth Service Day and Expanding YSA Programs Meets Company's Business Goals, Improves Education and Fosters Citizenship Through Service-Learning

Washington, July 5, 2007 -- Youth Service America, a national nonprofit resource center committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people, today announced it will continue the alliance with the State Farm Companies Foundation. YSA, State Farm®, and the State Farm Companies Foundation agreed to another three-year alliance that includes both financial and in-kind support. In addition to financial support, thousands of State Farm's employees and agents, and their families will participate in Global Youth Service Day events around April 25-27, 2008.

“With State Farm’s support, National Youth Service Day has morphed from an American event into Global Youth Service Day, a global phenomenon engaging millions of young people in more than 115 countries," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. "We believe having Global in the name helps young people feel that they are part of a global movement. And there is no problem in human history that has ever been solved without human intervention, especially by young people. In fact, if you want to change the world, ask a young person. Social change movements have always required the energy, commitment, idealism, and creativity of youth," Culbertson added.

“State Farm’s interest in service-learning and its alliance with YSA reflects the company’s focus on public awareness and engagement that help schools better prepare students for the global workforce and challenges of the new millennium,” says Kathy Payne, director of education leadership in public affairs, State Farm Insurance. “Service-learning provides the connection between the academic content of the classroom and the real world and helps link teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and students together.”

State Farm believes the quality of schools helps define the way of life, economic future and the vitality of the community. “Like a good neighbor” is more than just a slogan to State Farm. It is reflected daily by the engagement and active participation of State Farm’s Chairman and CEO Edward B. Rust Jr. in business-education partnerships at the national level. It is demonstrated by the many State Farm agents and associates who serve on local school boards and volunteer as mentors or substitute teachers in their community schools. It is supported by State Farm investments of financial and human resources in schools and community groups throughout the nation that work to raise academic achievement for all children.

Global Youth Service Day (April 25-27, 2008), the largest service event in the world, mobilizes youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through service-learning and community service. The event is organized by Youth Service America (YSA) with the support of State Farm Companies Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor. More than 115 National Partners and 51 Lead Agencies throughout the United States organize projects. Overseas, National Lead Agencies in 118 countries around the world manage national events. Planning Tool Kits, Service-Learning Curriculum Guides, classroom posters, grants, and more are available for youth, parents, teachers and organizations. For more information visit the Youth Service America web site.

Youth Service America is a national nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. Founded in 1986, Youth Service America’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with communities, schools, corporations, and governments. For more information visit the Youth Service America web site.

State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.7 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.