Serving Clients, Colleagues & Communities in Times of Need
This message was shared with BRP colleagues on October 6, 2022
It has been a week since Hurricane Ian made landfall in the U.S. leading to loss of life and devastation across the state of Florida and into the Carolinas, not to mention the havoc it wreaked in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Caribbean beforehand. Many are describing Ian as the deadliest storm to hit Florida since 1935. As our condolences go out to those who lost loved ones, we have great compassion for those impacted. We stand in solidarity and support for those managing through the difficulties of displacement, financial uncertainty, property damage and overall disruption to the routines of daily life we take for granted.
As the recovery process begins, BRP colleagues across the country remain proud to be in the insurance sector where we have a real opportunity to impact lives for the better leveraging the unique culture and values we put forth in meaningful actions for our clients and the communities in which we live and work.
Many of you have heard me say that insurance provides a vital backstop making it possible for individuals and businesses to take risk, make investments, create jobs, and fulfill their passions and professional pursuits. Importantly, insurance enables swift recovery when the unforeseen occurs, stepping in to make businesses, individuals, and families financially whole.
Hurricanes and other natural disasters are not new to our advisors and colleagues. Before the start of each hurricane season, we do outreach to advise our clients on preparedness measures.
We stay in touch during the event even as our own colleagues in Florida and the Carolinas themselves were following local guidance on evacuation or sheltering in place. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients during their time of need. We advocate for them and educate them on how to protect their assets.
When they interact with our claims teams, we are a warm and caring voice that listens to their stories and advises them on how to file a claim, and counsels them on prudent next steps and mitigation, reminds them of their rights and how to protect themselves against insurance scams and unscrupulous contractors.
We do this all while also caring for our own colleagues in their time of need as demonstrated by a range of actions, from volunteering phone coverage support, helping file claims, mobilizing to get supplies to colleagues in southwest Florida, finding alternative housing solutions for those displaced or contributing to the True North Colleague Fund.
The Leadership Team and I have been profoundly moved by these examples of grit and resilience that our colleagues across the country have demonstrated as they provide service to our clients and each other.
As you can imagine, residents in affected communities are still dealing with many challenges and they are at the very beginning of a long recovery. We at BRP are privileged to be of service and to continue to deliver societal value.
For those wishing to help affected communities, below you will find links to some not-for-profit charities that are directing their efforts to the hardest hit communities across Florida.
Supporting our Communities:
Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding Tampa Bay is a part of the national Feeding America network and donations given through Feeding Tampa Bay are being directly utilized to provide relief and emergency distribution to a 10-county region in Florida including the communities most impacted by Hurricane Ian like Fort Myers.
- Give directly to Feeding Tampa Bay – click here to donate now.
- Colleagues located locally and looking to volunteer time can find opportunities with Feeding Tampa Bay here.
Florida Disaster Relief Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
- Give directly to the Florida Disaster Relief Fund – click here to donate now.
It is in times of adversity that values and resolve are tested. At BRP, we are reminded of each other’s strength, goodness, compassion and humanity. It’s the culture that you all help shape every day. Culture is what you do and how you do it without being told to do so, and that is what we have witnessed first-hand over the course of this event.
To all of our BRP colleagues, through your daily actions and examples, you open doors of guidance, assistance, opportunity, and support for our clients and each other in times of need.
Thank you for making us so proud and inspiring us to be even better. Your work matters, especially in times like this.
– Trevor Baldwin, CEO
