Raleigh, North Carolina – Oct. 16, 2014 – With motor vehicle accidents topping the list as the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States, the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere is proud to announce that it has been presented with a grant from The Allstate Foundation to sponsor a teen safe driving and youth safety campaign led by 20 of its chapters across North Carolina. SAVE, a national nonprofit committed to preventing violence and advocating for student safety in our schools and communities, joined forces with The Allstate Foundation in 2005.

As part of the grant, each of the chapters will receive free SAVE affiliation and mini grants for teen safe driving activities, educational materials, ongoing support and technical assistance for SAVE’s youth safety efforts, and opportunities to partner with local Allstate agents to further the cause.

The Allstate Foundation and SAVE will kick off this campaign with the Teen Safe Driving Workshop: Reckless or Wreckless. The Oct. 23 workshop will host participating Allstate grant chapters’ advisors and student leadership for a day of direction and strategy-sharing that will empower them to return to their chapters and implement effective safe driving solutions. Attendees will hear from Allstate representatives as well as the State Highway Patrol, SafeKids and the UNC Highway Safety Resource Center and students from SAVE chapters that have excelled in teen safe driving efforts in years past.

SAVE and The Allstate Foundation have already awarded the grant to these 17 chapters:

Bunn High School (Bunn)

Chapel Hill High School (Raleigh-Durham)

Charlotte Performance Learning Center High School (Charlotte)

Concord Performance Learning Center High School (Charlotte)

Cuthbertson High School (Charlotte)

East Chapel Hill High School (Raleigh-Durham)

Fairmont High School (Robeson)

Garner Magnet High School (Raleigh-Durham)

Harding University High School (Charlotte)

Highland School of Technology (Charlotte)

Laney High School (Wilmington)

Lumberton High School (Robeson)

Purnell-Swett High School (Robeson)

Swansboro High (Swansboro/Jacksonville)

Terry Sanford High School (Fayetteville)

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (Raleigh)

White Oak High (Jacksonville)

SAVE is still accepting applications for the three remaining North Carolina grants. Interested schools and community groups can submit the application at: www.nationalsave.org.

“Teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, so it is critically important that we educate teens about safe driving,” said Thomas Walters, Allstate agent with Walters Insurance Agency. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with SAVE to educate students on safe driving and equip them in a way that will hopefully prevent senseless accidents.”

With support from Allstate agents, and employee volunteers, SAVE Chapters will be able to provide leadership in their schools and communities to ensure that all students will be encouraged and empowered with healthy life skills while engaging in educational activities and opportunities to promote teen safe driving and youth safety.

In addition to the Teen Safe Driving Workshop, SAVE chapters host activities throughout the school year, including rallies, seat belt checks, impaired driving obstacle courses, safe driving pledge events, and more. Many chapters will celebrate America’s Safe Schools Week, Oct. 21-25, and National SAVE Day, Oct. 22, with special events and activities. These include hosting a compliment day in which every locker will get a note with a compliment on it and handing out confidence cards with self-esteem boosting statements.

“We cannot thank The Allstate Foundation enough for awarding us this grant,” said Carleen Wray, executive director of SAVE. “Our core mission is to keep kids safe – and we've already seen how this program furthers that mission. It’s helping our SAVE students get their message out in ways that weren't previously possible, so we're incredibly grateful for the support and dedication of Allstate."

Since its inception in 1989, SAVE has grown from one school group to more than 2,100 chapters located in seven countries and 48 states. The organization mentors and provides resources, confidence and support to empower student leadership to help prevent school shootings, eliminate bullying and make their schools and communities safer for everyone. For more information on SAVE, please visit www.nationalsave.org.

About the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere:

SAVE started at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, N.C. in 1989 following the tragic death of a student who was trying to break up a fight at an off-campus party. Students met first to console each other, then as an organization to promote youth safety and to work together to prevent future incidents from occurring. SAVE provides education about the effects and consequences of violence and helps provide safe activities for students, parents and communities. For more information on SAVE or starting a SAVE chapter, visit www.nationalsave.org, or contact SAVE at (866) 343-SAVE to receive free startup materials and guidance.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

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