John Costello, Big “I" chairman, and Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I" president & CEO, recently toured the areas of Southwest Florida hardest hit by Hurricane Ian, checking in on members who had reached out to the Trusted Choice® Relief Fund in their greatest time of need. A new video documents their visit as they followed the stories of independent agents and their staff who are relying on grants from the fund to recover from the devastation. 

“As viewers will see in this compelling new video, these grants are making a real difference for those struggling since the hurricane," Rusbuldt noted. “The Trusted Choice Relief Fund is life-changing for these members, and their stories are powerful. Knowing that our association can assist in such a meaningful way after devastating disasters is important and rewarding." 

The piece features Big “I" members from the Chapman Insurance Group in Cape Coral and McDaniel Insurance Solutions in North Fort Myers. They are among the approximately 47 grant recipients who have turned to the fund after Hurricane Ian to help with expenses not covered by insurance or other means. 

The Trusted Choice Relief Fund is available to any Big “I" members and independent agency personnel impacted by catastrophes. As the video showcases, grants can be used for expenses related to rebuilding agency office space or restoring personal homes and belongings. 

“The Big 'I' is fortunate to have had such overwhelming support for the fund," Costello said. “Donors and supporters will be pleased to see in this video just a few examples of how the grants are being put to the best possible use to help members of the independent agent community. It is gratifying to see the results of the fund-raising efforts for this important cause." 

The fund has awarded about $130,000 in grants to those in the path of Hurricane Ian since October. It has collected more than $180,000 in donations so far since the storm, with additional funds in the pipeline for disbursement in 2023. Donations and grant applications are accepted online. 

The new video is available for sharing on social media, for use at industry meetings and events and on state association and member websites. For a downloadable video file, contact Sue Nester, Big “I" vice president of communications. 

Sue Nester is Big “I" vice president of communications.