State Farm Awards 'Safe Neighbor' Grants

This week, two area agencies each received $5,000 from State Farm toward their disaster education programs to students throughout southeast Missouri.

Bootheel Youth Museum -- Malden, Mo.

State Farm Agent Matt Steward presented a $5,000 grant that will help fund a traveling earthquake program in which students will create hands-on models and exhibits. They will learn earthquake safety, how earthquakes work, and the history of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812. Ten AmeriCorps members will travel to area schools and malls conducting the program.

Portageville Emergency Management Agency -- Portageville, Mo.

State Farm Agent Russ Hoggard presented a $5,000 grant that will help fund a Fire and Hazardous Weather Safety Program, which will teach 3,000 students in New Madrid County about fire safety and ways to lessen damages to their homes.

The majority of the funds will be used to purchase a camping trailer to house the training modules. It will be a mobile classroom that will travel to area schools. It will include a smoke machine, smoke detectors, fire escape ladder, and a safe room.