Community Investment Volunteer Award winners
Zurich believes in recognizing and rewarding employees for going beyond their job description to live our shared values outside our walls. Each year, peer-nominated Community Investment Volunteer Award (CIVA) winners are honored and presented with $1,000 grants for the charities of their choice. The amount rises to $6,000 for the Volunteer of the Year.
Alonzo Durham,
Operations, Chicago
Alonzo’s selection as Zurich’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year is based on the critical role he has played at YANA House, an intervention recovery home in Chicago that helps men recover from drug and alcohol addiction by providing a structured, safe and affordable living environment. Alonzo has been involved with YANA House for 12 years. "Living a life of service to others has afforded me the opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of people that are now important figures in my life,” said Alonzo.
Kingston Bowen,
Alternative Markets , Maryland – Virtual Office
Kingston participates in numerous projects supporting local nonprofit initiatives. Among these, he coordinated a community event in Buck County, Pennsylvania, to raise money and mobilize volunteers to package 10,000 meals for Generosity Feeds, which provides food to hungry children. Kingston also collaborated with Zurich customer Jones Junction of Bel Air, Maryland, to host an event in which Zurich and Jones employees worked on a Habitat for Humanity project. "Recognizing that giving back is more than a material act is huge," said Kingston.
Vanessa Campagna,
Claims, New York City
Vanessa has been an integral part of the successful ongoing relationship between Zurich and the Leadership & Public Service High School (LPSHS) in New York City. Over the past six years, Zurich has instituted five volunteer programs at LPSHS that are designed to increase the school's graduation rate and students' career and college readiness. Vanessa's commitment to further the relationship with LPSHS has contributed to this increase. "Seeing that in action has kept me motivated to volunteer,” said Vanessa.
Rita Castenada,
Claims, Irvine, CA
Rita continues to make a difference since winning her first CIVA award in 2013 for her work with Giving Children Hope Book Drive for Children of Los Angeles and her work with Operation Gratitude. Working collectively with her Irvine, California, colleagues, Rita helps to make an even greater impact for families and individuals in Orange County, California, including the local Ronald McDonald House, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity and a United Way Food Drive in Zurich’s Irvine office. "Volunteering can be a great team-building experience," Rita said.
Sean Kopeny,
Claims, Schaumburg, IL
Sean is a dedicated leader and active volunteer for multiple charitable organizations, most notably for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Over the last eight years, he has formed a community of volunteers at Zurich who have given their time, talent, energy and resources to ACS. He has also served as an Employee Champion for ACS for many years. “For each thing I am involved in, there is something unique I can contribute and a special way I feel I can make a difference," said Sean.
Joanie Perez,
Human Resources, Schaumburg, IL
After winning her first CIVA award in 2011 , Joanie elevated her volunteerism by becoming involved with The Bridge Youth & Family Services organization. She was also a key member of the Z Zurich Foundation Global Meeting Host Committee and is an active leader of A Time for Giving and employee resource group activities. "If we help our community partnerships to simplify and innovate while focusing on their customers, that gives a charity a chance to do something better or faster or do more with less," said Joanie.