Chicago Allstate Agency Owner Named Finalist for Top National Volunteer Award

Chicago Allstate Agency Owner Joe Schneider Named Finalist for Top National Volunteer Award

The Chicago entrepreneur is a finalist for the Ray Lynch Award and earns a $2,000 Allstate Foundation grant to donate to the charity of his choice

Chicago, Ill. (June 4, 2014) – Chicago entrepreneur Joe Schneider has spent the last nine years pulling double duty. By day, he runs his Allstate agency helping customers and residents with insurance solutions for their household. Outside of the office, you’ll find Schneider mentoring cancer fighters and raising funds for several cancer-centered nonprofit organizations. For his outstanding contributions and volunteer efforts, Schneider has been named a finalist for the 2014 Ray Lynch Award – Allstate’s top national honor recognizing an agency owner for the way he or she gives back to, and makes a difference in their community.

“Joe supports his community in every way possible,” said Alice Byrne, field senior vice president for Allstate’s Midwest Region. “As a local business owner, Joe believes in going above and beyond the call of duty to do what’s best for customers and the community. He wants to make a positive impact because it is the community where he works, lives and dedicates himself to.”

As a finalist, Schneider receives a $2,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation that he is donating to Imerman Angels, a nonprofit organization in Chicago where Schneider volunteers. Imerman Angels provides personalized support to cancer fighters, survivors and caretakers by matching them with mentors of the same age, gender and who also have battled the same type of cancer. Schneider also supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Livestrong and Movember, and has raised nearly $60,000 for several other cancer-focused nonprofit organizations. 

“Joe has been an outstanding mentor, one of those positive, relentless, good-energy kind of people,” said Jonny Imerman, founder and CEO of Imerman Angels. “He’s one of those guys that you match up with somebody and two weeks later they are calling me saying ‘Oh my god, I love Joe Schneider!’ That’s what Joe does – he tees it up and makes it easier for these guys to believe that there’s hope and a better life ahead.”

The Ray Lynch Award is dedicated to the memory of former Allstate agent Ray Lynch of Fayetteville, N.C. Lynch built a successful agency around a remarkable record of service to his family, church and community. During his 32 years as an Allstate agent, Lynch earned many company honors. In 1999, Lynch passed away. Inspired by his leadership, Allstate created this community service award in his honor.

“I am truly honored to be nominated for this prestigious award,” said Schneider. “I’ve immersed myself in giving back to the cancer community – that’s my focus. It’s about doing the right thing, and encouraging and inspiring my staff and customers to find causes they’re passionate about as well.”

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com,www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate®, and are widely known through the slogan “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®.” In 2013, $29 million was given by The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners to support local communities. Allstate employees and agency owners donated 200,000 hours of service across the country.