At AFA, our Colleagues are known for their generosity. Through their support, with backing from the AF Foundation, we are among the elite companies in the Oklahoma City area in terms of giving back to the community through the United Way, Allied Arts and other organizations. Donations for both organizations came directly from Colleagues and were matched by the Foundation. Colleagues also participated monthly in helping each other's favorite non-profit organizations by contributing to Charity Jeans Day Drives. The Regional Food Bank was another beneficiary of our Colleagues' generosity, with nearly a ton of food donated.

In 2007, the Foundation donated more than $700,000 to local non-profit organizations, including Ballet Oklahoma, Last Frontier Council of Boy Scouts, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and many others.

Colleagues also gave generously of their time, volunteering during a variety of company-sponsored events. Activities included participation in the American Heart Association's 2007 Heart Walk, chaired by Bill Cameron, to spending the day escorting schoolchildren during the Oklahoma Youth Olympic Initiative. More than 250 Colleagues and their friends and family members joined Team AFA for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and another 30 passed out water and encouragement to runners in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Many Colleagues also participated in one of the five blood drives held on site each year.

Colleagues at American Public Life in Jackson, Mississippi, also give liberally to their community. Each year, they make Christmas brighter for children at the Baptist Children's Village. They also support an annual Kids' Night Out and Community Stewpot, an organization that feeds the homeless.

In keeping with our mission to improve educational opportunities for youth in our community, AFA continued our partnership with Buchanan Elementary School. We sponsored the school's year-end party for students who read at least 100 books. About 40 Colleagues served as tutors in 2007, and several executives took time from their schedules to read to the students. We provided a holiday party for tutors and their students and helped fund a curriculum-based field trip. Colleagues donated a record number of school supplies to help low-income children in the area. AFA also partnered with KFOR News Channel 4 in 2007 to sponsor Weatherschool, a program that teaches schoolchildren about weather and storm safety.

In honor of former AFA president, the late John Rex, two Colleagues' children were awarded renewable John Rex Memorial Scholarships for the 2007-08 school year.

This spirit of community and family help make American Fidelity one of the top 25 "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America, an accomplishment recognized for the fifth straight year by FORTUNE magazine.