EPIC awarded $25,000 from State Farm

EPIC-Every Person Influences Children is the recipient of $25,000 from State Farm. This funding will directly support EPIC's car seat safety program.

"We are so grateful for the generosity of State Farm," said Tara N. Burgess, EPIC's executive director. "Car seats are imperative in keeping children safe yet, for many families, purchasing a new car seat is out of reach. Additionally, knowing how to install and use a car seat safely is complicated. Thanks to State Farm, we will be able to support families in keeping their children safe."

“This car seat safety program is so great, as are all the programs that EPIC offers," said Sheila Radwan, local State Farm agent. "What a positive impact on the children and families in our Western New York community! We are so happy to be partnering with EPIC once again.”

The press release stated, “The State Farm funding is part of their Good Neighbor Citizenship company grant program, dedicated to helping build safer, stronger and better educated communities across the United States. The grants focus on safety, community development, economic empowerment and education.”

“At State Farm, we are committed to helping build safer, stronger, better educated communities,” State Farm Community Responsibility Analyst Jennifer Young said. “That is why we are proud to support EPIC’s car seat safety program, which helps keep children safe on our roadways.”

EPIC's car seat safety program has been operating since 2017. Registered participants attend a one-hour workshop to learn safety precautions, proper positioning and benchmarks for outgrowing a seat. They also receive a free car seat upon completion of the class, installed by a certified car seat safety technician.

"In that past five years, more than 600 families have received a new, safe car seat from us, and more importantly, learned how to keep their children safe in a car seat," said Dawn Askew, EPIC's director of parenting. "State Farm's generous funding means that no parent will worry about how they are going to safely transport their child to doctor's appointments, day care or other essential places."

For additional information on the car seat safety program, email EPIC's director of development and marketing, Liz Vetrano.