Esurance Provides College Stipends to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Recipients Through Rising Star Students Program

TAMPA, Fla., SAN FRANCISCO, and ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Esurance and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are recognizing another group of #CallUpWorthy individuals – notable high school students who are getting ready for the next level, college. Teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), Esurance is providing a stipend for up to 14 students in Minor League Baseball cities as part of the new Esurance Rising Star Students program.

The winners will be announced Aug. 23, and will participate in an on-field ceremony at their local MiLB ballpark during the last homestand of the 2016 season. The activities will include a check presentation by Esurance, the local BBBS chapter and MiLB team representatives. “Supportive mentors can have a big impact on whether an at-risk young person decides to go to college, and whether they have the tools to succeed,” said Pam Iorio, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “We are proud of the impact our Bigs have on their Littles at this key time in their lives, and we appreciate Esurance and Minor League Baseball partnering with us to honor our Bigs and Littles and support their transition to college.”

Each participating BBBS agency will nominate up to three potential “Rising Stars.” Nominations should indicate why the individual is a “Rising Star” in his or her community. The recommendation can include the student’s unique “Big”/“Little” story, challenges he or she has faced, community involvement, academic achievements, college plans, career goals, etc. Esurance and MiLB are currently accepting submissions through Aug. 14.

“The journey that each Rising Star Student will have experienced in his or her life is not that different from the stories of our ‘Call-Up Worthy’ players,” said David Wright, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer for Minor League Baseball. “Just as we are recognizing outstanding baseball players through the Call-Up Worthy platform, we want deserving students in the Big Brothers Big Sisters family to receive their own ‘call-up’ and have the opportunity to achieve their dreams with help from Minor League Baseball and Esurance.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has been a part of the Minor League Baseball Charity Partners Program nationally since its inception in 2004. Minor League Baseball teams also support BBBS locally through a variety of activities, including awareness nights, donations to local agencies and volunteering as mentors.

“Together with Minor League Baseball and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, we created the Rising Star Students program to truly celebrate the outstanding performance of young rising stars in their local communities and help them prepare for their college journey,” said Cyndie Beckwith, Vice President, Marketing at Esurance. “We’re proud to support these future stars as they adjust to their new home away from home.”

In June, Esurance and Minor League Baseball announced a strategic multi-year partnership making it the exclusive home and auto insurance partner of Minor League Baseball. To learn more about Esurance’s Call-Up Worthy campaign with Minor League Baseball, visit MiLB.com/CallUpWorthy.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve such measurable outcomes as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 111-year history. With over 300 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 170,000 children (“Littles”), their families and 170,000 volunteer mentors (“Bigs”). Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.

About Esurance®
Esurance, insurance for the modern world®, provides auto, homeowners, motorcycle, and renters insurance direct to consumers online, over the phone, and through select agents. With an easy-to-use mobile app, helpful online tools like photo claims and Coverage Counselor®, and knowledgeable experts available around the clock, Esurance is the smart choice for today’s web-savvy consumer. And as a member of the Allstate family with an A+ rating from A.M. Best, Esurance offers auto and home insurance anytime with service just a click, call, or tap away. For more information, visit esurance.com or call 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262).

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About Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball® clubs through their farm systems. Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at Minor League Baseball ballparks. In 2015, Minor League Baseball attracted 42.5 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901. For more information, visit www.MiLB.com.

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Media Contacts
Laura Ruden
ChappellRoberts
LRuden@ChappellRoberts.com
813-281-0088

Dolleen Cross
Esurance
dcross@esurance.com
415-875-4722

Mary Marandi
Minor League Baseball
MMarandi@MiLB.com
727-456-1780