Wachovia Checks In on WorldSafe

Wachovia Executive Pedro Vila from the bank's Washington, D.C. Division visited recently with SAF President Len Pagano to discuss a new WorldSafe initiative. The program, spawned during international discussions in Paris and London, seeks to provide emergency preparedness resources to public safety groups, while also educating the public about preparedness issues. NBC Universal has also offered to partner on his project and is discussing ways to launch WorldSafe to a global audience during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. For more information, contact Guy Scull or Len Pagano at (770)-973-SAFE.

Safe America-Home Depot Partnership Continues to Build

Home Depot CEO Frank Blake congratulates Safe America President Len Pagano on being named one of the company's nonprofit partners for 2007. In December, Blake presented Safe America a check for $20,000 as part of its overall commitment to community service. SAF board member Gary White is spearheading Safe America's programming dealing with home safety in a campaign named 'Covering All the Bases: Be Safe at Home.' The Home Depot also has been supportive of the new 'Building a Safer Georgia' campaign.

'Building A Safer Georgia' Kick-Off

Cobb Energy hosted more than 30 members of the community for breakfast on November 14 to kick-off the capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of the Betty Siegel Leadership Center at Safe America headquarters and for teen driving scholarships. Campaign co-chair Brian Brocket, COO of Cobb Energy, welcomed the guests and shared his enthustiastic support for the Foundation's effort to save teen lives. The highlight of the meeting came when Chris Lehman, one of the first recipients of the Allstate Teen Driving Scholarships through Safe America told of how the program had been so impactful for him. To read more about campaign - CLICK HERE.

New Initiative: Safe America First Responders (SAFR)

In November, the Safe America Foundation Board of Directors approved the merger of the American Fire & Rescue and EMS Organization to become a unit of the Safe America Foundation. The new initiative will be called Safe America First Responders (SAFR). The objective for the initiative is “to ensure that America’s firefighters, rescue personnel and emergency medical services providers are best prepared to save lives and protect property by partnering and coordinating with national and state associations and organizations to help manage and provide needed up-to-date equipment, supplies and training.” The initiative will be led by Guy Scull, former President of AFREMSO, who is pictured above with Safe America President Len Pagano. To learn more about the organization - CLICK HERE. A new Web site reflecting the Safe America merger is under construction.

Over 1,000 Teens Take SafeTeen America Driving Challenge at Georgia State Fair

The Georgia State Fair, held in Perry, attracts families from across the state because of its exhibits, contests and amusement rides. But teens to the 2007 fair were surprised to learn they could compete in the SafeTeen America Driving Challenge at the fair with the possibility of winning a new Volkswagen Beetle. More than 1,000 teens between 15 and 18 years old competed for the prize, and thousands of other interested, but ineligible, future drivers also learned highway safety tips at the SafeTeen America exhibit. The event was co-sponsored by GEICO Insurance and the Houston County Prosecuter's Office. The 15-year-old young lady in the center of the photo above was the very happy winner of the Volkswagen.

Safe America/Wal-Mart Team Up for Safety Event

On September 22 Safe America joined Wal-Mart's Corporate Services Department in conducting the first Northwest Arkansas Emergency Preparedness Event at the Wal-Mart Home Office complex in Bentonville, AK. Joining Safe America to spread the word on safety was The Weather Channel, Allstate Insurance, Motorola, window film manufacturer Madico, the Arkansas Highway Police and the Arkansas Missouri Railroad. At left, SAF Len Pagano is joined by Jason Jackson of Wal-Mart and an Arkansas Highway Policeman in front of the No-Zone display at the event. Response from event goers was positive, and the Wal-Mart staff indicated they would like to conduct the event again next year. To view a photo page of the day's highlights - CLICK HERE .

Cheryl Wittke, Executive Director of the Safe Communities program of Madison and Dane Counties, Wisconsin, met with Safe America President Len Pagano in Chicago in late August during the Teen Driving Challege Tour to discuss details of a potential partnership between the two organizations.

In early September, Safe America President Len Pagano met with Frances Hesselbein, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, formerly the Peter J. Drucker Foundation, to discuss Safe America's efforts to establish a worldwide leadership cadre dedicated to improving safety and preparedness around the globe. Ms. Hesselbein is a globally recognized leader in nonprofit management and leadership. She is a former CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA and was the founding president of the Drucker Foundation. To learn more about the Leader to Leader Institute - CLICK HERE .

In August, the Michigan Resource Center for Health and Safety (MRCHS) and the Safe America Foundation discussed a possible working partnership between Safe America and MRCHS. In September, the MRCHS Board appointed a committee to pursue the possible merger of the Traffic Safety Association of Michigan as an operating unit of Safe America. The logo above for a TSAM fundraising event was developed by the Safe America Creative Services Department. To learn more about MRCHS and its important work - CLICK HERE .