Zurich North America, headquartered in Schaumburg, is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. Zurich North America provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services to individuals, small businesses and large companies in more than 170 countries.
Zurich North America has been a partner of Special Olympics since 2012 and has continued to expand its relationship through various volunteer efforts at numerous events throughout the year. Karen Michalski has been a group coordinator for Zurich at several Special Olympics competitions as she manages more than 221 Zurich employee volunteers. In 2014, Zurich North America employees volunteered at the following SOILL North Suburban Cook/Area 18 events: Palatine Polar Plunge, Spring Games, MATP Challenge Day, bowling and Unified golf. Since 2013, the total number of Zurich volunteers has increased by 65 percent and the total number of hours dedicated by the Zurich volunteers has gone up 82 percent.
At the end of each year, Area 18 has worked with Michalski to apply for the Zurich Community Grant which allows nonprofit organizations to receive funds based on volunteer efforts from their employees throughout the year. This year, Area 18 was honored to receive a grant for general support use for the area.
We are so grateful for our partnership with Zurich North America and for Karen Michalski and all she and her team does for Special Olympics. Zurich is one of the largest supporters at Area 18 events. Zurich employees are always looking for ways to get involved in volunteerism with Special Olympics and we are grateful for Zurich’s continued support.