The hurricane season ended Nov. 30, but the cleanup and recoveryefforts from this year's storms continue and the IndependentInsurance Agents & Brokers of America is seeking donations tothe Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund to provide disasterassistance to insurance industry representatives recovering fromthe storms.

“This fund is a great way to show our ongoing support as anindustry for victims of disasters and to assist independent agents,industry colleagues and others during their greatest time of need,”pointed out Dave Evans, executive director of Trusted Choice. “As2008 comes to a close, let's not forget those who lost their homesand businesses in one of the most destructive hurricane seasons inhistory.”

The Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund was established by theIIAA Educational Foundation of the Alexandria, Va.-based IIABA toassist those who have suffered losses due to natural or man-madedisasters. All contributions are tax deductible.

“A permanent relief fund allows us to financially assist victimswhen and where a disaster strikes, rather than raising the fundsafter the fact when each second on the clock is so precious,” saidBob Rusbuldt, president and chief executive officer of the IIABA.“The Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund has distributed thousandsof dollars across the country in some of the most hard-hitareas.”

The fund makes cash grants to IIABA members and their agencystaffs and others in the insurance industry to pay for immediate orongoing financial needs when other funding sources (such asinsurance and other grants) are not available. The fund fills thegap until other funding sources can be accessed and providesinsurance agents with supplies and resources to assist withdisaster relief efforts to aid victims and surviving family membersin their communities.

Contributions to the fund or grant applications can be made atwww.independentagent.com. Click on “About Us” and then “TrustedChoice Disaster Relief Fund.”

Contributions can also be made by check, payable to the “TrustedChoice Disaster Relief Fund” and mailed to Attn: Lillian Carter,Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund, 127 S. Peyton St., Alexandria,Va. 22314.