Newark, OH., OCTOBER 19, 2026 — October is National Fire Prevention Month, and the American Red Cross recognizes longtime donor State Farm^® for $1 million in philanthropic support for home fire prevention initiatives across the nation this year. In addition to this gift, our East Central & Central Ohio Chapters received a $50,000 State Farm grant for home fire safety, education, and installation of smoke alarms in Central & Southern Ohio Region.

Home fires claim seven lives every day, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death in half. That’s why the Red Cross offers fire safety education in communities across the country. As a steadfast Red Cross donor, State Farm is also committed to helping individuals and families protect what matters most.

“Through lifesaving programs, the Red Cross plays a vital role in helping build safer, stronger and more resilient communities. The philanthropic support State Farm provides Red Cross preparedness programs and disaster relief efforts demonstrates a shared commitment — to be good neighbors,” said Rasheed Merritt, State Farm Executive, Corporate Responsibility.

As the national Sound the Alarm sponsor, State Farm helps support home fire safety efforts across the country. State Farm associates also volunteer alongside Red Cross teams at Sound the Alarm events to install free smoke alarms, develop emergency escape plans and share vital home fire safety education. Since Sound the Alarm began in 2014, the Red Cross has documented more than 2,690 lives saved and installed over 3.1 million smoke alarms.

“The American Red Cross responds to a disaster every 10 minutes on average — the majority of which are home fires,” said Tim Callahan, Executive Director, American Red Cross of East Central Ohio.  “We are deeply grateful for State Farm’s generosity helping us prepare for and respond to disasters in our community.”

State Farm has served as a Red Cross Mission Leader since 2024, joining an elite group of the organization’s most generous supporters — donors contributing more than $3 million annually to help ensure the Red Cross can fulfill its mission wherever and whenever it’s needed most.

In April, the Red Cross presented State Farm with the 2026 Mission Leader Award, recognizing its remarkable support and sustained commitment to the Red Cross mission. This annual award honors an organization whose leadership and commitment has driven extraordinary results in advancing the organization’s humanitarian work to prevent and alleviate suffering in the face of emergencies.

State Farm’s long-standing participation in the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) demonstrates decades of sustained investment in Red Cross readiness, ensuring teams, supplies and infrastructure are prepared in advance of emergencies. This backing enables the Red Cross to provide safe shelter, meals, emotional support and other critical assistance at a moment’s notice while strengthening community preparedness and resiliency for the future.

Beyond its ADGP membership and home fire support, State Farm continues to sponsor key Red Cross initiatives, including Be Red Cross Ready and the Red Cross Emergency App, which collectively help families stay safe and access critical emergency information. In 2025, State Farm donated 15 vehicles totaling $1,000,000 – including four Emergency Response Vehicles – to Red Cross regions around the country to support local preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

Additionally, State Farm associates are engaged blood donors. Last year, State Farm hosted 33 blood drives across nine states where 154 first-time blood donors helped the Red Cross collect more than 860 donations of lifesaving blood. State Farm employees have given more than 170,000 donations of blood over the last 40 years.

About State Farm:

For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance combined in the United States. Its more than 19,200 agent offices and 65,000 employees serve over 96 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2025 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.