West Bend Provides a Silver Lining.

National Volunteer Week

April 18 – 24 is National Volunteer Week, an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and to thank the selfless volunteers who share their time, talents, and energy to make a difference in their communities.

Volunteers play so many critical roles in our society. Whether they’re distributing food at food banks, mentoring at-risk kids, or providing companionship and care to seniors, these actions have incredible and often long-lasting effects on the individuals involved, as well as the community. And while it may be hard to quantify the positive effects on individuals, AmeriCorps provides some powerful statistics regarding volunteerism. In 2017 nearly 77.4 million Americans volunteered 6.9 billion hours, with an estimated value of almost $167 billion!

Now’s the perfect time to recognize and thank the volunteers who contribute so much to society. And if you’re interested in volunteering in your community, you can visit Points of Light, VolunteerMatch, or your local volunteer center/organization to learn more about opportunities in your area. You’ll find lots of in-person and virtual ways you can help make a difference.

The Silver Lining® shines through on claims survey

West Bend received a B+ and placed in the Top Ten on CRASH Network’s 2021 Insurer Report Card!

CRASH Network asked more than 1,100 collision repair shops around the country to grade the auto insurance companies they interact with on a regular basis. Grades and rankings are based on how well each company’s claims handling policies, attitude, and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service for motorists.

The Insurer Report Card offers the collision repair industry an opportunity to recognize companies they see outperforming others. This makes it a helpful tool consumers can use when choosing an auto insurer, as it highlights exemplary claims service, not just price and brand recognition.

We’re proud to be included on this list as it shows the repair shops we work with recognize how we take care of our policyholders and other claimants after an accident.

CRASH Network has been providing news, perspectives, and research to the collision industry since 1984.

National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month. This annual observance, established in 2003, encourages Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. It also honors those who’ve saved lives through the gift of donation. This year’s theme, “Garden of Life,” uses symbols of hope, courage, and transformed life to represent the various stages of the donation and transplantation journey. A garden’s plants, insects, and other components working together to form a living and thriving ecosystem represent the potential people have to nurture and enrich our communities through donation.

Unfortunately, the demand for donations significantly exceeds the number of donors. Donate Life America shares these eye-opening statistics:

• More than 100,000 people are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants.
• Every 10 minutes another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.
• 7,000 deaths occur every year in the U.S. because organs are not donated in time.
• 1,900 children under the age of 18 are on the national transplant waiting list, and more than 25% of those are under five years old.

This month-long celebration of life includes several special events to highlight the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. April 10 – 16 is Blue & Green Spirit Week. Each day is dedicated to a special theme, including recognizing donors, volunteers, and health care heroes; giving hope to those waiting; engaging the public in fun at-home activities. April 18 – 24 is National Pediatric Transplant Week, focusing on the powerful message of ending the pediatric transplant waiting list.

To learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation, check out these frequently asked questions.