Amica Press Releases

07.22.09

Amica Names Essay Contest Winners

LINCOLN, RHODE ISLAND – Amica Insurance is proud to announce that the winners of its “Many Faces of Hunger” essay contest are Alexandra Puleo of Smithfield, RI, and John MacLure of Lunenberg, MA.

Puleo and MacLure each will receive VIP treatment at Amica’s Carnevale at WaterFire Providence on Aug. 22, including an opportunity to view WaterFire activities from aboard the elegant Thai River Boat.

But the big winner of the contest is Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, which receives a $2,000 donation from Amica – $1,000 in the name of each of the winners – to aid in its efforts to provide meals to the elderly and disabled members of our community.

“We’re happy that this contest has helped to raise awareness of the many faces of hunger in our community,” said Patti Genovese, communications project specialist for Amica.

“We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to enter the contest. And we’re also glad we’re able to help Meals on Wheels, which is one of many fine organizations struggling to meet the needs of the hungry in our community.”

Amica sponsored the contest as part of a fundraising effort for Meals on Wheels, and invited students and adults to share their experience with hunger or helping others who are hungry. The company received many thoughtful and insightful essays, ranging from one person’s personal experience with hunger to proposals to create community farms or collection efforts at grocery stores to help provide food for those in need.

A team of judges reviewed the entries for content, as well as composition, and selected the two winners.

MacLure’s essay focused on the many people he’s known personally over the years who have struggled with hunger and poverty, while Puleo’s piece highlighted her experiences as a volunteer in a community-based effort to feed the hungry.

Their VIP treatment at Amica’s Carnevale at WaterFire includes the river boat trip as well as a reception at the Amica Tent. They also will receive framed essays and photos. Their essays also will be posted at Amica.com/EssayContest.

Amica also will be selling Carnevale masks at the Aug. 22 WaterFire for donations of $3 apiece. Those proceeds will be divided between WaterFire and Meals on Wheels.

Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907. The company, with corporate headquarters in Lincoln, RI, is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine and personal umbrella liability.