Colonial Life–Celebrate Freedom Foundation partnership benefits students nationwide

New partnership supports education and JROTC programs across the country

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Thousands of middle and high school students will have access to expanded educational opportunities provided by the Celebrate Freedom Foundation, supported by a new partnership with Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company.

Colonial Life has committed $100,000 over the next three years to help support the Celebrate Freedom Foundation’s educational programs. The programs focus on “STEM” subjects — science, technology, engineering and math — that are considered essential to the nation’s competitiveness and leadership role in the world economy. The goal is to encourage students to learn more about and pursue careers in fields that rely on these skills. The partnership will help fund:

• Project SOaR^TM — an academic outreach program that supports STEM courses in middle and high schools and stimulates career choices. SOaR, which stands for School/Student Opportunities and Rewards, enhances the performance and success of students identified as educationally or economically at risk, as well as those who perform well in the classroom but are looking for career options and guidance. The program actively involves a fast-paced curriculum of hands-on activities, experiments and simulations using high-tech industrial and military aviation and transportation resources as a platform. SOaR is an “in the box” curriculum educators can implement to enhance STEM teaching and learning.
• Mobile Learning Center — a vehicle that transports a restored Cobra helicopter and kiosks for hands-on simulations supporting the SOaR curriculum.
• Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Awards for Academic Excellence —a prestigious award presented annually to the most outstanding first- or second-year cadet at each of more than 3,200 participating high schools. The award, consisting of a ribbon and a certificate, is based on academic and personal achievements including class ranking; positive attitude; personal appearance; display of personal attributes such as initiative, judgment, and self-confidence; courteous demeanor; growth potential; high personal and ethical standards; and the potential and desire to pursue a military career.

“This effort builds on Colonial Life’s long history of support for the Celebrate Freedom Foundation,” says Randy Horn, Colonial Life’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re committed to developing the leaders of tomorrow by investing in educating and developing our future workforce. Nearly half of our total corporate social responsibility funding is education-focused, and Celebrate Freedom Foundation’s efforts align well with this focus.”

“Colonial Life’s support will greatly help our efforts to deliver effective educational opportunities and recognize outstanding JROTC participants,” adds Jack Lovelady, Celebrate Freedom Foundation’s president and chief operating officer. “These programs help develop critical skills greatly needed in the global workplace. They’ll help us maintain the U.S. technological advantage essential to assuring the health of our nation’s industry and, ultimately, America’s freedom.”

To learn more about the Celebrate Freedom Foundation or its educational and JROTC programs, call (803) 708-4752 or visit www.CelebrateFreedomFoundation.org.

About the Celebrate Freedom Foundation

The Celebrate Freedom Foundation is a nonprofit educational and historical 501 (c)3 corporation dedicated to educating children, promoting lasting patriotism and honoring the military — past, present and future. It provides innovative educational outreach programs in unconventional settings, focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics in elementary, middle and high schools. For more information visit www.CelebrateFreedomFoundation.org or call (803) 708-4752.

About the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States. The program was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act.

About Colonial Life

Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company is a market leader in providing insurance benefits for employees and their families through their workplace, along with individual benefits education, advanced yet simple-to-use enrollment technology and quality personal service. Colonial Life offers disability, life and supplemental accident and health insurance policies in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Similar policies, if approved, are underwritten in New York by a Colonial Life affiliate, The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, Worcester, Mass. Colonial Life is based in Columbia, S.C., and is a subsidiary of Unum Group, one of the world’s leading providers of employee benefits.

Colonial Life offers exceptional opportunities to join its expanding sales force of more than 13,000 career agents in one of the fastest growing segments of the insurance industry. The company provides award-winning training that has received national recognition for excellence. For more information about Colonial Life, call the company at (803) 798-7000 or visit www.ColonialLife.com

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Colonial LifeJeanne Reynolds, 803-678-6274
jdreynolds@coloniallife.com
or
Celebrate Freedom FoundationMorgan Fields, 803-708-4752
mfields@cff-soar.org

Source: Colonial Life