There are many reasons Federated Insurance has been named one of Canada’s Best Workplaces for two years running. One is the company’s progressive attitude toward its people and community; second and more significant is the quality of the 383 people that comprise the Federated Insurance.

Both of these factors came together in a big way in 2011 in support of the United Way.

In three Federated Insurance regional offices, employees took it upon themselves to raise money through individual pledges and office-wide fundraisers.

• In our Winnipeg office alone, employees held a bake sale, lunchtime bingo, pizza lunch, silent auctions, a candy guess game, and a crossword competition.

• Our Edmonton office might have topped them, however, with a Crazy Hat, Hair, Shirt, or Tie Day that brought out the best in our people but the worst in their wardrobes!

• The greatest per capita donations came from our Calgary office, with just over 30 employees, whose average pledge was over $160!

“I’m consistently amazed by the determination of each of our employees to be a positive force wherever they are,” says Doug Overwater, Vice President, Corporate Relations. “That passion fuels our culture of generosity.”

But the story doesn’t end there.

The corporate donation matching program at Federated Insurance is one of the ways the company demonstrates a progressive attitude as an employer and corporate citizen. Those who make a donation to a registered charity can have their donations matched by the company—to a maximum of one thousand dollars per employee!

Thanks to this program, the $22,000 pledged by employees was effectively doubled. Combined with office-wide fundraisers, 2011 contributions from Federated Insurance and its employees to local United Ways across Canada topped $47,000.

“By donating to the United Way, we know these funds are going to make a difference in our neighbourhoods,” continues Doug. “Because of the work the United Way does, we know we’re not just raising money, we’re partnering with individual agencies that better lives and transform entire communities.”