Zurich Spreads Holiday Cheer at Shriners Hospitals around the Country by Hosting Children's Holiday Parties and Fundraisers; Provides More Than $35,000 to Support Shriners Hospital Programs

Business Wire, Dec 14, 2004

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Zurich, one of the nation's largest property-casualty insurance providers, brightened the holiday season for dozens of children this year by delivering gifts at Shriners Hospitals for Children around the country. As part of its annual involvement with the Shriners organization, members of Zurich's risk engineering group, with the help of individuals from Zurich's construction, underwriting and claims groups, raised thousands of dollars, donated gifts and hosted holiday festivities at Shriners Hospitals in Chicago; Greenville, South Carolina and Galveston, Texas.

In addition to bringing Santa Claus, holiday treats and good cheer to dozens of children, Zurich also presented more than $35,000 in financial support for a range of important programs at the Chicago and Philadelphia Shriners Hospitals. This included a $30,000 check from the Zurich U.S. Foundation to the Chicago hospital - the most Zurich has ever given to the Shriners cause.

"We are proud to do our part to support the vitally important work of the Shriners Hospitals and pleased that, during the holiday season, we have been able to have a positive impact on the lives of children in need," said Roger Smith, Construction Risk Engineering Manager, Zurich. "Though our work with the Shriners Hospitals began on a local level, it has since grown to become one of our major annual initiatives, as evidenced by the financial commitment provided by the Zurich U.S. Foundation this year."

Zurich's involvement with the Shriners organization began in 1999, when members of Zurich's construction risk engineering group hosted a holiday party and made a $5,000 donation to the Galveston hospital.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is an international network of 22 children's specialty hospitals throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Eighteen of the hospitals provide orthopedic care, three are dedicated to burn treatment, and one provides orthopedic and burn care. Three of the Shriners Hospitals also provide long-term rehabilitative care to children with spinal cord injuries. Shriners Hospitals provide free treatment to children under 18, without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner.

About Zurich Financial Services

Zurich Financial Services (www.zurich.com) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network that focuses its activities on its key markets in North America and Europe. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Through its offices in more than 50 countries, 62,000 Zurich employees serve clients in more than 120 countries. In North America (www.zurichna.com), Zurich is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market and small business sectors.