SAIF's ability to use premium dollars for non-operating expenses is limited by our charter, and so we have not participated in the kinds of community endeavors that many other companies of our size have enjoyed. However, our employees have a long history of service to their communities including food and toy collection drives, military family support activities, and American Red Cross blood donation events.
In 2009, SAIF created a community affairs initiative to empower our employees' organizing efforts. One of the first results occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when teams of employees, organized via SAIF's intranet site, took on community projects in both the Salem and Portland areas. Projects included volunteering for the Salvation Army, writing letters for children who were ill, working at an animal shelter, and cleaning up a local dog park.
We hope to increase service to the community in 2010, and have created a committee to develop a community affairs program to facilitate greater involvement between SAIF, our employees, and the communities where we do business, while maintaining our legal obligations.