What's New at thorntonpowell

As most of you are aware from previous newsletters, the employees at thorntonpowell have been supporting a local charity in Oak Lawn called the Ronald McDonald House. We did the donation drive in December that turned out to be a huge success and we continued our supportive effort with the Meals from the Heart event that was held on February 22nd.

Meals from the Heart was a great opportunity to offer a homemade meal to the families staying at the house. Within the office we prepared all different types of good dishes following an Italian theme. Lasagna, garlic bread, pasta salad and much more was brought over and prepared as needed by the office volunteers. The idea of supplying a meal seems like a small act of charity but in fact the Ronald McDonald house strives to truly make their facilities a “home away from home”. When you have a child trying to get well in a nearby hospital, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your next meal. It was our pleasure to provide these families with some good food and a worry-free atmosphere.

We are so proud of our employees who continue to take time and contribute to such a worthwhile organization. We look forward to more opportunities in the future that provide such a positive impact on our community. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about a wonderful organization, please check out their website at www.RonaldHouseChicago.org .

Flood Insurance Misconceptions

Flooding is the United States #1 natural hazard. The National Flood Insurance Program wants consumers to know that while homeowner's insurance won't cover them against flooding, they can protect their home and property by purchasing a flood insurance policy separately through their local insurance agent.

Many people are under the misconception that they are ineligible for flood insurance because of where they live, or their mortgage status. But the truth is, as long as your hometown is an NFIP community, most homeowners, business owners and renters can get flood insurance. The NFIP urges consumers to remember the flood insurance basics:

• You CAN get flood insurance nationwide.
• You CAN get flood insurance if you live in a floodplain or high-flood-risk area.
• You CAN get flood insurance if you live outside a floodplain, or a low-to-moderate flood-risk area, - and at lower cost.
• You CAN get flood insurance if your property has been flooded before.
• You CAN get flood insurance from insurance agents in your area.
• You CAN buy flood insurance even if your mortgage broker doesn't require it.

Armed with the proper information about their flood risk and protection options, consumers can make more informed decisions to protect their financial investments.

Everyone is at Risk

Flooding happens every day in all regions of the country. Consumers must prepare for flooding no matter where they live. The Northeast can be affected by remnants of tropical disturbances in the summer, but are also threatened by winter flooding, nor'easters, and the threat of rapid spring melts. The Midwest experiences major river flooding - illustrated by the catastrophic floods of 1993 and 2008. The west coast's intense flooding season typically spans November through March and results in millions of dollars in damage for residents each year.

Many consumers think that flooding related to hurricanes and other tropical disturbances are limited to coastal areas. However, some of the most damaging flooding can happen well inland and days after a storm makes its initial landfall. In 2007, Ohio, which has no ocean coastline, received more than $44 million in flood insurance payments.

Although many floods are caused by huge storms like hurricanes or nor'easters, more floods occur every day and can result from small, localized events, such as a typical afternoon thunderstorm. No matter where you live, it is important to remember that just a few inches of water in a home can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

More Ways to Connect With Us

Beginning April 1st, 2011 thorntonpowell is happy to announce our presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We are committed to our customers and being available to serve them on a multitude of platforms. So what does this mean for you? Accessibility!

Let’s face it, not everyone has time during their day to come into the office or call to speak with their insurance agent. Some would prefer email, text or social media options as a way to stay informed while allowing them to continue working, running errands or enjoying the day. Now you have options!

It is now easier than ever for friends, family and customers to check out the latest insurance updates, ask questions, follow thorntonpowell’s involvement in the community and best of all, win something. Throughout the year we will be running multiple contests and giveaways so remember to keep a look out! We feel this is a great opportunity to continue to serve our clients while hopefully gaining some new fans. So let’s get interactive! “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check out our new and improved website to tell us what you think. We would love to get feedback from you!

Riddle Answer: The letter "M"

Relay for Life

Thorntonpowell will be participating in the 2011 Relay For Life of Oak Forest event on Friday, June 24th. This is a life changing event that gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. In this event, teams of people camp out at a local facility and take turns walking or running around a track or path. It is a 24 hour commitment. We will need all the support we can get. Please feel free to contact us directly if you’d like to learn how you can participate or check out the website at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11IL?pg=entry&fr_id=30597

April Recipes

Seven Layer Salad

Dirt Cake

Nacho Popcorn