NEWARK, Ohio (AVC News) — The American Red Cross’ East Central and Central Ohio chapters have received a $50,000 grant from State Farm to support home fire prevention, safety education and smoke alarm installations across central and southern Ohio.
The grant is part of State Farm’s broader commitment to home fire prevention, which includes $1 million in philanthropic support for Red Cross initiatives nationwide in 2026.
October is National Fire Prevention Month, and the Red Cross is using the occasion to highlight the importance of working smoke alarms and household fire safety. Home fires claim an average of seven lives each day, but working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of death by half, according to the organization.
Through its national Sound the Alarm initiative, the Red Cross works with volunteers, including State Farm associates, to install free smoke alarms, help families develop emergency escape plans and provide fire safety education.
Since the program began in 2014, the Red Cross has documented more than 2,690 lives saved and installed more than 3.1 million smoke alarms.
Tim Callahan, executive director of the American Red Cross of East Central Ohio, said the organization responds to a disaster approximately every 10 minutes, with most responses involving home fires. He thanked State Farm for supporting local disaster preparedness and response efforts.
State Farm has been a Red Cross Mission Leader since 2024, contributing more than $3 million annually to support the organization’s work. In April, the company received the Red Cross’ 2026 Mission Leader Award in recognition of its continued support.
The company also supports the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, which helps maintain the resources needed to provide shelter, meals, emotional support and other assistance during emergencies.
Additional support includes Red Cross preparedness initiatives and the Red Cross Emergency App. In 2025, State Farm donated 15 vehicles valued at a total of $1 million to Red Cross regions nationwide, including four emergency response vehicles.
State Farm employees also contribute to the Red Cross blood donation program. The company hosted 33 blood drives across nine states last year, collecting more than 860 blood donations with the help of 154 first-time donors. State Farm employees have donated more than 170,000 units of blood over the past 40 years.
Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by AVC News
