Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell, center, announced the Alfa Cares Campaign today at the home office in Montgomery, including up to a $25,000 donation match from the Alfa Foundation for the American Cancer Society. From left, standing behind Parnell, are Cassandra Gifford of Eufaula; Julia Meyers of American Cancer Society; Carol Golsan, Alfa Senior Vice President of Marketing Services; Al Dees, Alfa Executive Vice President of Marketing; and Steve Rutledge, Alfa Executive Vice President of Operations. | Special to the Enquirer

Alfa Insurance® is honoring fighters and celebrating survivors of all types of cancer this October with its Alfa Cares campaign.

Throughout the month, employees will participate in numerous events and memorials at the corporate office and at more than 320 service centers in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi to raise money for the American Cancer Society® (ACS). Alfa Insurance has pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations through the Alfa Foundation.

“As a cancer survivor, I am proud to work alongside others who recognize the struggles of fighting cancer and who are willing to support the ACS,” said Carol Golsan, Alfa’s senior vice president of marketing services. “The donations from our co-workers, customers and the company itself will be a tremendous help in funding research and providing resources for cancer patients.”

Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell announced the fundraising commitment today in front of pink-clad employees during a press conference outside the company’s home office in Montgomery.

Julia Meyers of ACS said the Alfa Cares campaign will fund research and programs.

“We appreciate everyone at Alfa for having such big hearts and wanting to help their local communities,” Meyers said. “Alfa’s graciousness will help ACS continue searching for a cure to this terrible disease while also offering services to lift up those who face the overwhelming diagnosis of cancer.”

The Alfa Cares campaign includes the second annual “Pink Out” at service centers in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Agents and customer service representatives will decorate offices in all shades of pink, including blush and bashful, while accepting donations for the American Cancer Society. Donations may be made in offices or online at tinyurl.com/AlfaCancerDonation.

October events at the home office include an honor wall, special pink Alfa Insurance merchandise sales, Caps for a Cure Day, “Pink Out” Day, a lunch and learn about cancer and “Pray in Pink” Day. The Little Alfa Day Care will also participate in fundraising Oct. 14 by selling pink lemonade to home office employees.

Incorporating the company’s agricultural roots, a pink tractor will be on display at the home office through Oct. 9. Eufaula High School graduate and former FFA student Cassandra Gifford restored the 1952 tractor, painted it pink and named it Hope. Gifford now makes special appearances with Hope to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money to help local women afford mammograms. Parnell presented Gifford with a $1,500 check to fund a trip with Hope to the National FFA Convention in Louisville at the end of the month.

Alfa Insurance leaders are also participating in other community projects during October to raise money for breast cancer awareness through ACS. Executive Vice President of Marketing Al Dees is an ambassador in the Real Men Wear Pink of Montgomery project, while Alabama district managers Laine Wooden and Chris Burgreen are ambassadors in the same program in South Alabama and the Shoals, respectively.