21st Century Insurance Goes on a Mission ... Rose Parade Float to Raise Awareness of California's Historic Landmarks.

Business Editors

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 26, 2000

As the California Missions Foundation broadens its $50 million fundraising campaign to preserve and restore the 21 California missions, 21st Century Insurance is preparing to debut its sixth Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade float entry, "El Camino Real, A Salute To The California Missions."

Both the nonprofit foundation and the insurance company are committed to using the visibility afforded by the Rose Parade to promote the mission's quest: to elevate public awareness and concern for the preservation of the California missions and to raise funds to ensure that all of the missions have adequate financial resources for ongoing restoration and preservation efforts well into the next century.

"It is in that spirit that 21st Century Insurance is proud to underwrite an educational grant of $31,000 in support of the foundation," announced Ric Hill, vice president, public communications.

"Funds will be utilized to print 25,000 36-page full-color booklets entitled, 'The Missions of Alta California,' to be distributed to fourth grade classrooms, which include the missions in their annual curriculum, as well as mission visitors, chambers of commerce and visitor and convention bureaus."

Hill also announced that the company would underwrite 25,000 smaller brochures titled, "The Mission Directory," which provides driving directions to each mission.

The foundation is dedicated to the preservation, protection and maintenance of the California Missions to ensure that their historical legacy is kept alive for future generations.

"Support of the foundation's drive to restore our missions fits with our company's approach perfectly," said Hill, "Since our float celebrates the heritage of the California missions. What an ideal partnership for us both."

Rick Ameil, president of the foundation, concurred.

"We kicked off our three-year campaign in October 1999 and are well under way with our procurement of major gifts. To be able to reach the worldwide viewing audience of the Rose Parade is an incredible opportunity to share our message of the beauty and historical significance of the missions, California's most visited historical attractions."

Ameil notes that the list of potential preservation and restoration projects is as diverse as the backgrounds of the people who originally built the missions. Basic structural repairs, long overdue, head up the list. Seismic retrofitting and adobe stabilization are additional necessities.

The preservation of priceless artifacts, statues and irreplaceable manuscripts is also a major factor. And day-to-day expenses such as salaries, utility bills, insurance and daily maintenance of grounds round out the list of needs shared by all the missions.

Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance is a pioneer of the customer-direct marketing of personal automobile insurance, now available in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The company also provides home insurance in California.

21st Century Insurance has headquarters at 21st Century Plaza, 6301 Owensmouth Ave., Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367. For more information, log on to i21.com.