Long Island is full of people who go out of their way to help others every day of the year. Jennifer O’Brien, a local State Farm agent, is one of those people. She recently joined us on Lenard Team Connections to share how she is partnering up with organizations in the community to ramp up her efforts even more.

Keep reading to learn what Jennifer and State Farm are doing, or listen to the full episode here. 

Can you fill everybody in on the work also that you've been doing in the community?

Absolutely. So thank you guys for having me on. I always love hanging out with JD and Danielle, and they are truly some of the most awesome, amazing people. I love what you guys are doing with virtual shows and give back, so kudos to you guys. 

As a State Farm agent, we truly have been living by the motto: ‘Like a good neighbor.’ We're here. 

And really since this came about, middle of March, we've been out there in the community. We've donated over 500 hand sanitizers. I worked with Twin Stills Moonshine and gave them 250 empty bottles to fill with hand sanitizers that they, in turn, give to people in need. 

And then we’ve done a lot of fun things in the community as well. For St. Patrick's Day, I did a lucky charm drop, gave some little treats at the door to go houses. So that was fun. I also did an Easter craft contest, and delivered a few dozen crafts for kids to do.

This past year, you spearheaded the Hauppauge Chapter of Smithtown Children’s Foundation. What has the Hauppauge chapter been able to accomplish under these times?

I did take on the role as the executive director of the Smithtown Children's Foundation for the Hauppauge chapter. What we do is reach out to families in need, it could be financial, it could be medical - it also doesn't necessarily have to be the children, it could be the parents as well. 

During this time, more so than ever, the community needs our support. So we're continuing to work with some of the Hauppauge families in need, who were previously already struggling, and new families alike. We’re doing a lot of meal deliveries, checking in on them, making sure they have the right resources. We also work with social workers at the school as well. They communicate to us, so it is a lot of communication and making sure that people are getting what they need and helping to be a valuable resource to them.

Meanwhile, you’re still working as a State Farm Agent. Can you tell us about the Good Neighbor Relief Program?

Absolutely. Now more than ever, I am so proud to work for a company such as State Farm, they really are first-in-class stellar, just an amazing company all around. They recently announced we're doing a $2.7 billion give back to our customers. That equates to about a 27% refund that current State Farm customers in New York will get for the month going from March 20 to May 31. So any amount spent on your premium you'll get a refund back in June for that. So that's amazing right there. 

We’re doing all sorts of things for people need, such as deferring payments. State Farm recently announced a $10 million give back to small businesses. They partnered with Jimmy Fallon to do a match program on The Tonight Show that was another $200,000. 

Everyday, they're stepping up to the plate. We're really trying to promote value, the difference of State Farm and having a State Farm agent versus calling 1-800 numbers at a time like this.

Any updates on insurance offerings right now?

We are considered an essential business, so I am here still at work, and my team is all remote. So we are still 100% functioning. 

It's not even about sales at this moment. It's about value. It's ‘how can we help you?’ We're finally able to talk to people who in the past didn't have a minute to talk. Now people are home, they're dusting off that old insurance policy, they're realizing, ‘oh, my policy went up $1,000 over the past few years, or maybe my home isn't insured at the right level.’ 

People always put off insurance as the last on that to-do list. Now is the perfect time to really look at your policies. Do you have enough coverage? Do you have the right limits? Are you paying the right amount? We would love to have that conversation with you. 

Also, even our life insurance sales have increased by about 30%. People now more than ever are realizing they’re not invincible. So we’re having those conversations that people don't want to have or a conversation that's easy to put off. Let us have that conversation with you and discuss what's important to you.

Are there any other organizations that you're partnering with, or any other organizations or individuals in the community that are inspiring you?

I'm always looking to partner with others. I have a ton of ideas on ways to give back and what we could be doing, and it definitely takes a village.

One recent thing we did, I partnered with a few local small businesses for Easter egg drop off. We promoted it on Facebook; we had a list of a few dozen families. And I partnered with Pita Pit, Sweetwaters, Karisma, Nailing your Expectations. So it was about five businesses. People were able to nominate people who are on the front lines, first responders, and we delivered Easter eggs to their house, which was truly, really amazing. We've got such nice feedback from the community on that. 

I think partnering with businesses and showing that we are united at a time - that's what it's about right now. Mentioning the Smithtown Children Foundation and what Chris Fitzgerald is doing, I know you guys featured her a few weeks back is truly remarkable. 

There are some really exceptional human beings out there that are selfless and go above and beyond at all times, 365 days during the year. But at an elevated time like this, really their capes come on, and their skills just shine. 

And it's amazing, the hundreds of meals that were able to be coordinated to give back and, to families who were also we're dealing with some other underlying things as well. Just to make sure that we're putting smiles on people's faces.

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