Junior Achievement Of New Jersey (JA-NJ) And Allstate New Jersey Display The Importance Of Financial Literacy And Community As Part Of Community Service 2008 During Event Service In Asbury Park

Asbury Park, New Jersey (August, 2008) – As a part of the “Community Service Day 2008 (CS ’08),” a national volunteerism initiative, Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JA-NJ) and Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company (Allstate New Jersey) recently held a CS ’08 event at Asbury Park’s Bradley Elementary School. Employing a theme of business-education partnership, JA-NJ’s CS ’08 was developed in partnership with Allstate New Jersey and the Asbury Park Department of Recreation.

This event focused on financial literacy and featured activities from JA’s Our City® and Our Nation® programs. James Griffin, Manager of The Allstate Foundation in New Jersey and the keynote speaker for the event, spoke on volunteerism, social responsibility, and the value of saving so that our “money can make more money.”

Approximately 80 youngsters from the Bradley Elementary School and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Summer Camp sites engaged in activities like “Inside Cities”, which emphasize the importance of zoning and civic planning to the economic development of a city by having students build replica cities with pop-up buildings which are to be placed into designated city zones, and “Production”, which demonstrates how team work, following directions, and using different production strategies lead to increased productivity, quality, and profit.

William P. Ballinger, President of the Bridgewater-based Allstate New Jersey and JA-NJ State Board member, said, “It is very important for corporations to take an active interest in the communities they serve.” He added, “Planting the seeds of sound economics – at any early age – is vitally important. It helps with the children’s educational development. So, Allstate New Jersey is proud to help support the New Jersey JA chapter.”

Catherine Milone-Richards, President of JA-NJ, underscored this thought by saying, “More corporations, community groups and local government entities need to know that JA exists and that we have a high-quality, professionally developed, financial education curriculum to offer our schoolchildren at no cost to our schools.”

Launched by the Washington, DC-based Financial Services Roundtable, Community Service Day 2008 – formerly known as “Community Build Day” – marks the seventh annual observance of this national initiative to display how the financial services industry works to improve their local communities.

About Community Service 2008
From July 1-September 30, 2008, Community Service 2008 unites member companies' efforts to improve the communities in which they work, and strengthens partnerships with non-profit partners and public policymakers. The focus of Community Services 2008 will be on Financial Education, with increased visibility of financial education programs in communities. The Financial Services Roundtable represents 100 of the largest integrated financial services companies providing banking, insurance, and investment products and services to the American consumer. Member companies participate through the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives nominated by the CEO. Roundtable member companies provide fuel for America's economic engine, accounting directly for $66.1 trillion in managed assets, $1.1 trillion in revenue, and 2.5 million jobs. For more information, visit www.fsround.org.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by The Allstate Corporation and Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company. The Allstate Foundation sponsors community initiatives to promote “safe and vital communities”; “tolerance, inclusion, and diversity”; and “economic empowerment.” The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement’s (JA) mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA offers workforce readiness programs that focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today JA Worldwide® reaches over 8,300,000 students worldwide in 100 countries. For more information, visit www.ja.org. This year, Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JA-NJ), a member of JA Worldwide, will reach more than 30,000 students in the Garden State. For more information, visit http://nj.ja.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE/CAPTION: As Part Of “Community Service 2008,” JA-NJ official Michael Troutman helps two youngsters with a JA curriculum game during a recent event held at the Bradley Elementary School in Asbury Park. A jpg. version of photo can be provided upon request.