Insurance Industry Charitable Fund Kicks Off 5TH Annual ''IICF Bridge Week'' Sending 3000 Volunteers Into Action Across State; Announces 3RD Annual ''Community Hero'' Award Winners.

Business/News Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2002

For the past five years, the California insurance industry has known that, if it's October, it's time for "IICF Bridge Week" to have thousands of its employees join local non-profit service agencies for a program of award-winning community service across the state -- from the smallest of rural areas to the state's major urban centers.

Beginning Saturday and lasting for the next nine days, the Insurance Industry Charitable Fund's annual "Bridge Week" will send an army of more than 3,000 volunteers and their family members into the field. In one week's time, they will provide an estimated 13,000 service hours through more than 200 service projects for 80 non-profit agencies throughout California. Each agency fits one of the IICF's principal selection criteria: child abuse awareness and prevention, disaster preparedness, health and quality of life, and targeted educational programs.

"Insurance company teams will again be painting homes, stocking shelves at community food banks, mentoring at local schools, addressing fire safety in inner-city homes, helping environmental clean-up -- whatever is needed," said Karen Chin, CEO of the Insurance Industry Charitable Fund (IICF).

IICF Announces 3rd Annual "Community Hero Award" Recipients

In conjunction with this year's IICF Bridge Week, the IICF also is presenting its 2002 "IICF Community Hero Awards" to television newscaster Bob MacKenzie of KTVU-TV in Oakland, California, and professional golfer Ken Venturi, who now resides in Southern California.

Bob MacKenzie joined KTVU/Channel 2 in 1978 as a feature reporter for the Ten O'Clock News and ultimately was instrumental in the development of the very popular Segment 2. He is the recipient of 13 local Emmys, a National Headliners award and numerous other professional honors. "We are pleased to recognize Bob as a Community Hero because of the extensive awareness he has brought over the years to non-profit organizations and volunteers throughout Northern California. His high level of enthusiasm, coupled with professionalism and a sincere interest in his work, brings his features to life for viewers, hopefully encouraging them to become more involved," said IICF Chairman Pierre Bize, President and CEO of CSE Insurance.

Ken Venturi's golf career took off in 1956, when he led the Masters after three rounds, attempting to become the first amateur to win one of golf's most prestigious tournaments. By 1960, he had won 10 tournaments. A former Ryder Cup team member, PGA Player of the Year in 1964, and 2000 President's Cup Captain, Venturi was forced to retire from the PGA Tour at the age of 33 because of severe carpal tunnel syndrome. He found a new career as a CBS-TV golf analyst and has been singled out by Golf Digest as the nation's top golf commentator. "Following a successful battle against prostate cancer, Ken Venturi has turned much of his attention to raising funds for worthwhile organizations ranging from Guiding Eyes for the Blind to Richstone Family Center, a Hawthorne family services agency with which the IICF has partnered to create a transitional housing program for young women leaving the foster care system," said Dennis Doyle, IICF President and Senior Vice President of American Re-Insurance.

About Insurance Industry Charitable Fund (IICF)

The IICF was created by insurance industry executives, agents and others to be a vehicle for focusing and coordinating the insurance industry's charitable efforts. Since its inception in 1994, the IICF's annual donations have grown from less than $100,000 to more than $1.0 million. In 2001, nearly 100 not-for-profits across the state of California benefited from these donations. The IICF's goal is to annually cross the $1 million threshold in support of its mission to make a significant difference in four basic areas of philanthropy: Awareness and Prevention of Child Abuse, Targeted Educational Programs, Disaster Preparedness, and Health and Quality of Life. Donor companies are encouraged to recommend not-for-profit organizations in these areas. However, recommended agencies and programs must stand on their own merit under a careful IICF evaluation process.

Editors: a list of participating companies and service projects in your area can be obtained from Howard Kalt at 415/397-2686 or by emailing [e-mail].