Melissa McCormick, left, accepts a check from State Farm insurance agent Robin Lonas for the Find Your Fire nonprofit as part of a State Farm outreach program. (Courtesy photo / State Farm)

Melissa McCormick, left, accepts a check from State Farm insurance agent Robin Lonas for the Find Your Fire nonprofit as part of a State Farm outreach program. (Courtesy photo / State Farm)

Insurance company donates $10,000 to local nonprofit

It was part of a program where 100 agents selected organizations to award grants to.

A Juneau insurance agent donated $10,000 this week to a local nonprofit built to empower young adults.

Robin Lonas, a State Farm agent, was able to donate to Find Your Fire through State Farm’s community engagement program, according to a news release.

“At State Farm, we are committed to helping build stronger communities,” Lonas said in a news release. “For me, it’s not enough to simply say we’re a Good Neighbor, we embrace the responsibility to make this community better by being a part of a solution.”

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Find Your Fire is a local nonprofit aimed at empowering young adults and helping them build solid mental health foundations, according to the news release. The organization was founded by Melissa McCormick, who also runs the organization. Lonas was one of 100 State Farm employees nationwide who were recognized for their community engagement, and selected Find Your Fire to receive the grant.

“We have a great program and The 100 for Good State Farm Grant means so much for our organization as well as the community that we serve here in Juneau,” McCormick said in the news release. “It proves that the work we do with young adults is noticed, it is important, and our work in the community is valued.”

Find Your Fire is involved in many programs and events around Juneau, such as the Take a Timeout to Talk event held at basketball games several months ago.

“The 100 for Good State Farm Grant will allow Find Your Fire to incorporate some new life skills workshops and mental health sessions into our program, assist with the Community Wellness Expo, the Take A Time-out to Talk event, and continue to promote positive messaging in Juneau and throughout the state of Alaska,” McCormick said.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

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