Archive for July, 2009
During the work week, Primerica employees support the sales force and keep the business running smoothly on the home office front. In their free time, many also turn their talents to personal projects they are passionate about outside of the workplace. As Executive Vice President of Primerica’s on site TV/Production department, Norma Richardson enjoys giving back to the community through her work with Primerica and with the Main Street Players.
“At Primerica, I am heavily involved in the creative process behind the sales materials and marketing tools that our field force uses,” explains Norma. “I have a great team that handles much of the day to day operations which frees me up to concentrate on the creative aspect of our in house TV studio.”
Norma says she’s always been passionate about the arts – which is why she entered the field she did – so when she had the opportunity to bring that love to her hometown, she jumped at the chance.
“I have always been involved in the arts, especially music and theatre, which is my one of my passions,” says Norma. “In 1996, while taking care of my ailing mother, I started thinking about how I could be involved and make a difference in the community. My hometown of Griffin, GA, was undergoing a revitalization of the historic downtown area and I saw a chance – and a challenge – to take what I loved and turn it into something the entire community could appreciate.”
Together with three friends from high school, Norma carved a 100 seat black box theatre out of an old F.W. Woolworth store and began sorting through play scripts for their debut. “Our first show, a musical re-telling of the Anne Frank story called Yours, Anne, opened September 20, 2001 – nine days after 9/11,” remembers Norma. “We weren’t even sure we should go forward with the performance because of the attacks, but the cast and crew got together and decided to use the play and its message as an opportunity to address the recent events and start the healing process.”
A sold out crowd solidified the Main Street Players’ role in the shiny new downtown atmosphere. Nearly eight years and 37 shows later, the theatre group is still going strong. In fact, the homegrown theatre was featured in the November/December 2006 edition of Scoop Magazine!
As a non profit organization, the theatre survives on volunteer efforts, donations and grants. “There are a few paid positions, but most of the work is done by our amazing volunteers,” says Norma.
To get involved with the Main Street Players, visit the www.mainstreetplayers.org or send an email to Norma.
Tags: anne frank, black box, main street players, performance art, play, Primerica, theater, theatre, theatrical
Posted in Community, Primerica |
The tough economic climate is impacting people from across the spectrum. So, teens looking for summer work may be feeling the pinch just like everyone else. In fact, only 30% of teens currently have a summer job and the unemployment rate has risen to 22.7%.1
Times are tough for job seekers – both young and old – but here are four tips to help your kids find seasonal employment.
1. Network for success. Besides checking the classifieds and online job boards, contact family friends and let them know your son or daughter is looking for work.
2. Visit government sites. The stimulus plan set aside money for one million summer jobs for youths.2
3. Check discount stores and fast food chains. These outlets are thriving during the recession.
4. Don’t ignore volunteerism. It’s a great résumé and character builder.
Working a summer job is a great way to help your teen learn to become financially responsible. For more ideas on helping kids develop good money skills, visit www.primerica.com to locate a local representative.
Tags: economy, employment, government, Primerica, stimulus, summer jobs, teen jobs, volunteer, volunteerism
Posted in Primerica, Tips |
The elderly population in Gwinnett County is growing, and while the county provides a multitude of services to make sure those who are “60 plus” are well taken care of, resources can sometimes become strained. Rather than see older citizens go without, a dynamic group of giving individuals volunteers their time, talent and cash to help local seniors maintain their dignity during their golden years.
For 10 years, the Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services (Friends) has assisted the county’s elderly by privately supporting or supplementing a variety of programs that directly address senior needs. One outstanding Primerica employee, Pam Tokarz, sits at the helm of Friends, directing aid efforts and drawing other Primericans into the volunteer fold. Tokarz has worked with Friends for five years. Before that, she volunteered at the Norcross Senior Center through a program sponsored by Primerica. Every quarter several Primerica employees would go to the Norcross Senior Center and serve the residents their lunch, play games, sing songs and visit.
Through volunteering at the Norcross Senior Center, Tokarz met Pat Port, who coordinated these events for Primerica and she also served on the Friends board. Port invited Tokarz to the board of directors meetings and she began volunteering at their fundraising activities. Before long, she joined the board. Tokarz became Friends’ president in January 2008 and is currently serving her second term as leader.
Food for the Soul
One of their most well-known partnerships is the Meals on Wheels food delivery program. Through Meals on Wheels, Friends annually sponsors many of its clients for meal deliveries. The non-profit group has also donated vehicles to Gwinnett County Senior Services. These autos are equipped with GPS systems.
Tokarz remembers the days when her grandmother was a recipient of Meals on Wheels. Gratefulness for the program – and a rearing based in service – propelled her to Friends. She says it’s a perfect fit. She adds proudly, “Friends is 100% run by volunteers and we are fortunate to have some very talented and service-oriented board members and volunteers. They come from all walks of life and are dedicated to helping seniors.”
More than Meals
As part of their tenth anniversary celebration in March, Friends board members went to the Lawrenceville Senior Center and visited with the residents. The 80 seniors in attendance played a “Name that Tune” game with selected songs from the 1940s and 1950s. A “Senior Idol” song competition sprang up, as well, and then morphed into a senior trivia game. Board members gave out gift basket prizes and every senior received an Easter egg. Tokarz recalls, “It was fun to see the seniors enjoying the music from their era and they really got in to it.”
It’s times like these that make Tokarz sure that she’ll work for Friends until she can’t physically do it anymore. Until then, she has a personal goal to reduce the number of seniors on the waiting list for services. The current monthly average on the waiting list is 190 seniors – up 43% from 2008. Tokarz says the needs are great and growing, and she invites any takers to get involved.
To get info on the Friends-hosted fund-raisers like the Crawfish Boil, Outback at Work Charity Lunch and their annual silent auction, visit the Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services Web site at fogcss.com.
Tags: elderly, FOGCSS, friends, Gwinnett County, meals, Meals on Wheels, Senior Services, wheels
Posted in Community, Primerica |
Having proper life insurance protection – particularly for families with children – is a crucial element to a firm financial foundation. Today, just one third of American adults own a life insurance policy, and among those who do, two out of five think they don’t have enough.1 Some financial experts recommend parents with young children have coverage that’s 10 times their annual income.2
If you haven’t taken a look at your insurance coverage lately, now would be a good time for a checkup. Primerica’s free Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) is an easy place to start.
For many families, term insurance is the most cost effective option. In fact, experts agree that term insurance, which only provides a death benefit, is almost always the best choice. Compared with a whole life policy, term allows the consumer to purchase more coverage for less money.3
Primerica only markets term life insurance. Find out how to get your personalized FNA today!
Tags: financial needs analysis, FNA, life insurance, Primerica, primerica life insurance company, protection, term insurance
Posted in Primerica |
