American Family 2011 Annual Report Download - page 7

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Please find page 7 of the 2011 American Family annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

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5
Customers Steve and Debbie Leatherman are among the thousands of families whose lives were on the
verge of being ripped apart by the Joplin tornado.
Both of them teach at Joplin High School, working with at-risk students. When the tornado ripped through
Joplin, they lost practically everything and nearly lost their lives.
How did they recover?
“Hope and faith are what we’ve drawn from, and the encouragement of others,” says Debbie. It also helped
that the Leathermans had an American Family homeowners insurance policy.
Their agent, Derek Holmes, rose above his own adversity to take care of them. Despite the fact his oce was
demolished in the tornado, Derek continually stayed in touch with them and answered their questions.
Afer the tornado, the Leathermans received checks in a matter of days to rebuild their home.
“American Family cared for us as human beings,” says Debbie. “We knew we were going to be OK.”
Energized by a clear vision of their own recovery, Steve and Debbie set out to restore their students’ faith.
A former department store and part of another school were converted to a temporary high school in time
for classes to resume in the fall.
“It’s a journey we never thought we’d go through,” says Debbie. “Kids hurt, families hurt, but the school is a
symbol of a community, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that.”
“The kids need us,” says Debbie. “And we need them.”
HELPING CUSTOMERS
SO THEY CAN HELP OTHERS
FAITH