Community, Care, and Connection: SNCares Year in Review
From grants to giving hands, here are some of the ways we made a difference in 2024
At State National, giving back isn’t just something we do — it’s part of who we are. That’s one of the reasons we created SNCares, a companywide committee dedicated to service and philanthropy. Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with dedicated organizations and contributing to meaningful causes that uplift our communities. From grants and donations to hands-on volunteering, our dedicated team members embraced hundreds of opportunities to make an impact.
The stories shared here are just a glimpse of the meaningful work we accomplished together, both as individuals and as a company, throughout the year. We hope you enjoy this snapshot of the many ways we came together in 2024 to make a difference and help create a brighter future for those around us!
Donating Extra Holiday Gifts for a Good Cause
SNC employees showed their generous spirit by donating extra holiday gifts for a meaningful cause. Unused items like lotions, soaps, and fun surprises such as games found new homes at the Tarrant County Senior Center and with Meals on Wheels staff just in time for Valentine’s Day. These thoughtful contributions not only brightened the day for the recipients but also reinforced our commitment to supporting the community with kindness and care — a simple yet impactful way to spread joy and make a difference!
Youth Equipped to Succeed and Lakewood Elementary
This year, one of our SNCares/Markel Community Grants went to support Youth Equipped to Succeed (YES). As a part of their program, some of our committee members visited Lakewood Elementary in Hurst Euless Bedford ISD to experience Tory Gant's energizing and uplifting message to their students, encouraging them to work hard, resist peer pressure, and be kind. His enthusiasm and positivity were contagious!
Have a Heart – SNCares Valentine’s Bake Sale
Our SNCares Valentine’s Bake Sale was a heartfelt success! Team members generously donated an array of delicious baked goods and volunteered to staff the tables, all in honor of the 58th annual American Heart Month. On this special “heart day” we shared sweet treats, raised awareness about heart health, and collected funds to support the American Heart Association. We all enjoyed this holiday celebration of giving, teamwork, and a shared commitment to a healthier future.
Tracker’s Graduation — Our Canine Companions Puppy Found His Home
Tracker, our favorite pup, matched with his “fur-ever” person and they were officially paired at a moving and inspiring Canine Companions graduation ceremony in February. Some of our SNCares committee members were lucky enough to attend the event in person, while the rest of us joined virtually to celebrate this special milestone. A big thank you to everyone who supported Tracker’s journey and to Markel’s Community Grants program for making this impactful partnership possible. Here’s to Tracker and his new teammate Tom as they “embark” on this incredible adventure together — we can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ll accomplish!
6 Stones Company Sponsor Catalyst Award
What an honor it was to be recognized by 6 Stones at their annual Catalyst Awards ceremony. We're so proud to partner with this hardworking nonprofit in their mission to share hope through community mobilization. Whether it's providing emergency assistance of food, clothing, and resources, revitalizing homes, giving backpacks and school supplies, or mentoring people out of poverty, 6 Stones is dedicated to strengthening and growing our local community one home and family at a time.
Cancer Center Snack Donations
We all came together through Amazon online orders and in-person donations to provide care items for chemo patients at the Center for Cancer in Arlington and Fort Worth. Items donated included snacks, lotions, socks, headwear, and coloring books with markers — all aimed at bringing comfort and helping patients pass the time during treatment. It was a joy for SNCares committee members to deliver these gifts in person and share the excitement of patients and staff at the center.
Sam Markel Days of Service and State National Volunteer Fair
This year State National hosted its first-ever volunteer fair, bringing employees together to meet with local nonprofits and explore ways to give back to the community. In partnership with local nonprofits, we welcomed 25 representatives from 11 organizations to our DFW-area headquarters — several of whom commented that they had never seen so many eager volunteers!
This event was a great opportunity to learn more about areas of need in our community, help these worthy organizations spread awareness of their charitable missions, and connect them with the 195 State National employees who attended to find out more about volunteering.
In conjunction with the Sam Markel Days of Service, the event highlighted the value of Markel Volunteer Time Off (VTO) hours and the generous Dollars for Doers program, empowering team members to dedicate their time to causes they care about and discover how their efforts can make a real impact. Group volunteering activities some of our teams participated in for the Days of Service included Tarrant Area Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry and The Taste Project in Fort Worth.
Pawisitive Encounters: Tracker and Tom Visit State National
State National had the pleasure of hosting Tracker, the service dog, and his person, Tom, for a heartwarming visit. Employees gathered in Ledbetter Park for an adorable meet-and-greet, where they got to say hello to Tracker, meet his companion Tom, and hear their inspiring story. To make the day even more special, we celebrated Tracker’s April birthday with a delightful puppy-themed cake — and, of course, treats for Tracker too!
BEAM/SNCares Juneteenth Cookout Fundraiser
We had a blast celebrating at our second annual Juneteenth cookout in Ledbetter Park. Co-sponsored by BEAM (Black Engagement at Markel) and SNCares, the event featured fun games, a live DJ, and even some dancing! The unseasonably mild (for Texas) weather was just right as we enjoyed delicious hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot links, chips, and refreshing drinks, all cooked and served by our fellow SNC employees.
It was one of our most successful events of the year, and all proceeds went to support the mission of For Oak Cliff, helping to uplift Dallas's South Oak Cliff neighborhoods by working hand-in-hand with community members to create culturally responsive initiatives and solutions-driven programming and resources.
Give a Drink, Get a Drink!
Partnering with the Women’s Network, we hosted a bottled water drive for the Bedford Fire Department, collecting an impressive 65 cases of water that the Bedford PD uses to assist firefighters and the community in the heat of the summer. Enthusiastic volunteers helped greet, set up, distribute drinks, and unload donations, and the firefighters showed their gratitude by offering demonstrations, fire truck tours, and answering questions, making it a fun and interactive day for everyone. Women’s Network koozies and a refreshing variety of ice-cold drinks added a special touch and kept us all cool on a sweltering day.
Communities in Schools Grant
One of this year’s SNCares/Markel Community Grants provided funding to help to provide essential mental health supports for PreK through 12th grade low-income, at-risk students in our area. State National, Markel, and SNCares are proud to help #CISGTC continue its mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Together, we are positively impacting the next generation!
Donations for The Gatehouse
The State National Women’s Network and SNCares teamed up again, this time to support The Gatehouse, an organization dedicated to empowering women to build new lives after crisis. Along with a generous Markel/State National Community Grant to further their mission, the initiative focused on collecting essential items for families moving into The Gatehouse’s safe on-campus housing. These fully furnished apartments provide a stable foundation for women to overcome hardships such as underemployment or abuse.
SNCares members delivered the donations in person, and it was an honor to provide many new sheets, towels, home goods, cleaning supplies, and other needed items to help families start a new chapter in their lives through this program.
Nehemiah Builds Afterschool Program
Serving students in grades 3-5 in the Arlington Independent School District, the mission of Nehemiah Builds is to empower youth by igniting their unique gifts to positively impact the world. From character building and STEM activities to creative arts, sports, daily reading, and more, this program provides incredible opportunities for growth and development in an environment where children can flourish. SNCares was thrilled to be able to offer a SNCares/Markel Community Grant to support their efforts.
As Isaac Washington of Nehemiah Builds shared, "We appreciate State National so much and their continued support of our children...Thank you for all that you do for the children in our community!"
6 Stones New Hope Center Grand Opening
As longtime supporters of the amazing work 6Stones does in our community, we were honored to celebrate the grand opening of the beautiful new home of their New Hope Center and proud to have helped fund this amazing facility to serve our community! With this incredible expansion, the dedicated and caring staff and volunteers at 6 Stones will be able to serve even more HEB-area families with essential groceries, resources, mentorship, education, support — and most importantly, hope!
Bedford Public Library - Pumpkin Patch
In October, Bedford Public library hosted their harvest pumpkin event and received donations of thousands of pumpkins to unload! It was a great opportunity for SNC employees to use some of their Markel paid VTO to assist our local library with this cherished annual fall tradition. In 2024 we also provided a SNCares/Markel Community Grant for the library’s FED program to help promote good health in our HEB community.
November & December
SNC Serve Days
SNC Serve Days inspired our teammates to make a difference by encouraging the use of Volunteer Time Off (VTO). Various departments came together to support local nonprofit organizations like 6 Stones, Mission Arlington, and Tarrant Area Food Bank, among others. Employees were also introduced to a variety of other local volunteer opportunities, making it easier than ever to give back and get involved. It was a great way to cap off the year in a spirit of service and community.
Grateful for 2024, Excited for What's to Come
As we reflect on the efforts and collaborations of 2024, we are deeply humbled by the opportunities we had to support and uplift our communities and filled with gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many. Each grant, donation, and act of service, whether big or small, was a step toward creating meaningful change and building stronger connections.
As we turn our focus to 2025, we are more inspired than ever to continue this important work with the same spirit of care and collaboration. It’s an honor to work with so many dedicated individuals and partners, and we’re excited to continue creating meaningful change and fostering hope in the year to come.
Stay updated with SNCares initiatives by following us on LinkedIn and Facebook, and by signing up to receive future SNC Spotlight communications. Here’s to another year of making a lasting difference — together!