LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance announced today that actor Jack Black will join the insurer's annual float entry into the iconic Rose Parade on January 1, 2015. The "Dream Big: World of Possibility" float is set to honor teachers across the country for the endless dreams and possibilities they inspire within students on a daily basis. Black will be joined by his longtime mentor and former teacher, Debbie Devine of 24th Street Theatre, as well as the five winners of the Thank A Million Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge, in a symbolic culmination of the inaugural Thank A Million Teachers program.
In early 2014, Farmers launched the Thank A Million Teachers program, inviting America to say thank you to teachers across the country for their tireless work and dedication to make us all smarter. In return, Farmers committed up to $1M in funding for educators in 2014. Black helped Farmers launch the program by offering up the first thank you to Devine and sharing the profound impact she made on his life, ultimately shaping who he is today.
The Dream Big Teacher Challenge, an extension of Thank A Million Teachers, asked educators nationwide to submit proposals for their chance to be one of five outstanding teachers throughout the country awarded with a grant to help them transform their school community. Five teachers will be crowned winners of $100,000 grants each, providing them with funding to turn their dreams into reality, as well as the honor of riding the "Dream Big: World of Possibility" float with Black and Devine. Together, they will work to inspire other teachers to push the limits and create a world of learning for their students.
"In 2014, we set out to show our gratitude for teachers across America with our Thank A Million Teachers program, and to date we've given hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money to help better classrooms across the country," said Erin Freeman, Chief Communications Officer for Farmers Insurance. "Farmers is a company that believes in smart – but more importantly, we believe that teachers have the power and ability to transform the learning experience by showing their students the world of possibilities that exist around them, and we are thrilled to celebrate teachers for that reason."
"My middle school teacher, Debbie Devine, had a profound impact on my life that I could never forget to this day. I walked into her classroom and was immediately transported into a world where learning was celebrated and it became clear that the world really was (and still is) my oyster," said actor Jack Black. "I am thrilled to be here with Farmers to celebrate Debbie and other teachers who inspire kids, showing them that there really are no limits on the possibilities around us."
Visit www.ThankAMillionTeachers.com to learn more about the program. Tune in to the 126th Rose Parade on January 1, 2015 to catch the Farmers Insurance "Dream Big: World of Possibility" float featuring the five Dream Big Teacher Challenge winners, Jack Black and his teacher Debbie Devine of 24th Street Theatre.
About Farmers Insurance
Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer group of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and approximately 22,000 employees.
For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. The Tournament's 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed "Inspiring Stories," will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.
Contacts:
Luis Sahagun
818-292-3574
luis.sahagun@farmersinsurance.com
Trevor Chapman
323-327-1896
Trevor.chapman@farmersinsurance.com
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/LA56061LOGO
SOURCE Farmers Insurance
