What’s New: In Brief (September 19, 2007)

Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. raised more than Cdn$10,000 for the Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC) at its 13th annual Crawford Classic charity golf tournament held in Toronto on Sept.12, 2007.
Golfing during unseasonably cold weather has become somewhat of a Crawford tradition, the company noted in a press release, but Crawford clients and employees nevertheless braved the cold temperature to raise Cdn$10,000 for Crawford Cares, benefiting WICC.
WICC was established in 1996 to mobilize the Canadian insurance industry in the fight against cancer, by focusing on cancer research, support, and education.
Our clients and employees have truly embraced Crawford Cares and its mission, said John Sharoun, CEO of Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc., in a press release. They know that all of their donations are going to a very worthy cause that has impacted us all in some way.
Crawford Cares is Crawfords community relations program that combines both charitable donations and employee volunteerism from Crawford offices across Canada.
Since Crawford Cares inception in December 2003, Crawford employees have selected WICC as the benefiting charity for Crawford Cares. To date, it has raised more than Cdn$155,000 and its employees have donated hundreds of volunteer hours.

Peace Hills Insurance (PHI) in Alberta will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton on Sept. 20.
Starting in a modest office space with two empty filing cabinets, the company now has 160 employees, offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver, and writes more than Cdn$140 million annually in personal, commercial and farm insurance premiums.
PHI was established by the Samson Cree Nation while looking for business opportunities to diversify and invest their oil and gas royalties.
The insurance industry has not been an easy environment to grow in, and 2006 was the second best year in the companys history, the company noted in a release.
The gala in Edmonton will be emceed by entertainer Tom Jackson, an officer of the order of Canada, and will feature an evening of entertainment from artists such as Canadian Country Music Association award winner Shane Yellowbird.
Speakers will include the Honourable Lyle Oberg; Diane Brickner, president and CEO of PHI; Chief Victor Buffalo of the Samson Cree Nation; and Mr. Marvin Yellowbird, PHIs chairman of the board.