Farmers Insurance Helps Level the Playing Field for the Simi Valley Girls Softball Organization; Farmers Gives The Amanda McPherson Foundation $50,000 to Help Fund a State-of-the-Art Facility.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) is proud to announce its partnership with The Amanda McPherson Foundation in building the new Simi Valley Girls Softball Organization Fields. The state-of-the-art facility is long overdue. Farmers will present a check to the Foundation for $50,000.00 at the 2nd Annual "Amanda" Walk and Family Carnival, Sunday, September 18, 2005, 8:30 a.m. - 12 Noon. The walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Rancho Tapo Community Park then move to the Farmers State Office at 3041 Cochran Street in Simi Valley, CA, and return to the park for a family carnival with lots of fun and festivities. More than 500 participants, families and businesses are expected for this event.

Farmers Insurance is one of the largest employers in the Simi Valley area, and its concern for this community has been crucial in the fundraising efforts for the new softball fields.

"We believe charity starts at home, and Simi Valley is the home of our Farmers CA State Office," said Jerry Carnahan, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Farmers. "The State Office has been a part of the Simi Valley community for more than 20 years. And whether it's here or another city, we believe in taking care of our customers and our communities. And the girls' softball organization is definitely a part of this community. No longer will the girls be exposed to inferior and dangerous field conditions. It's a new day for the girls softball organization, The Amanda McPherson Foundation and Simi Valley."

The Simi Valley Girls Softball fields in cooperation with the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District, Shea Homes and The Amanda McPherson Foundation have been instrumental in working with the City of Simi Valley to secure an appropriate girls softball field in the new Big Sky community.

"The Simi Valley Girls Softball league has been in serious need for an appropriate softball facility for much too long. We are proud that Farmers partnered with us to build such a well needed home for our local girls. It is our intention to give them (the girls) an environment that fosters the lessons of teamwork, team spirit and lasting friendships," said Tom Costello, Vice President, The Amanda McPherson Foundation.

The Amanda McPherson Foundation was founded in memory of a little girl cherished by many. On a national level, the donations are directed towards research in the fields of Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome, a genetic birth defect, and Viral Myocarditis, sudden cardiac death. Further research will lead to better treatment and prevention of these conditions. On a local level, the donations are directed towards the development of an appropriate girls softball field for the Simi Valley Girls Softball Organization. For more information about the foundation, visit our Website at www.theamandamcphersonfoundation.com.

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the insurers comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households through 17,000 exclusive and independent agents and district managers. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.