For General Insurance Services’ employees, their responsibilities do not just lie in insurance quotes, numbers, and sitting behind a desk. No, they are manning booths, running races, handing out food, or just engaging with the Northwest Indiana community as much as they can.
Whether it is appearing at Rotary Club meetings every week or volunteering in at local event, the staff at GIS understand the importance of giving back to the community.
“Our mission is to secure the future of the communities we serve,” says Kara Moon, Marketing Coordinator. “While a big part of that is protecting our clients, and helping them manage their risk, it is very important to us to also give back to the communities where we live, work, and play.”
For years, the employees of the GIS office located at 4208 Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso, have served on various boards and committees, representing the GIS name and philosophy throughout the region.
Alison Williams, Commercial Lines, sits on the Chesterton High School Band Boosters, Porter County CASA, Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club, and is a member of both the Valparaiso and Duneland Chambers.
Mark Behrendt, Commercial Lines, is a member of the Duneland Exchange Club and has been on the Porter County Building Trades Corp. Board Member for the last 15 years.
Eric Gibson, Life and Health, is a Valparaiso YMCA Board Member and a Valparaiso Rotary Club member.
Stephanie Domazet and Lauren Singleton, Personal Lines, volunteer their time as Valparaiso Chamber Ambassador Committee members. Lauren is also a member of the Valparaiso Rotary Club.
Marija Ramon, Commercial Lines, has become involved in the Portage Chamber.
Kara Moon, Marketing Coordinator, serves as the Vice President of the Porter County Fair Board, as well as volunteers her time with the Porter County 4-H program.
For each position Behrendt holds, he has a first-row seat in helping the community, whether it is for local business owners and employees or high school kids entering the job field.
“It is important for us to be involved because it strengthens the community by bringing people together for a common cause,” he explained. “It gives you an opportunity to make a difference. It also provides a feeling of pride and satisfaction when a goal is accomplished.”
Gibson agreed, saying it is even more important to be a face within the community in a time and age where it is so easy to be secluded, thanks to technology.
“Knowing your fellow neighbors, I feel is a necessary human need that is often overlooked,” he said.
Gibson said he and his wife plan to go to more fairs and festivals this year, and being more engaged in the community as a family.
Likewise, the GIS family supports Porter County organizations and events throughout the year. For these occasions, GIS employees are stationed as volunteers to run a booth, or just to help at the event. In other instances, GIS contributes a monetary donation in support.
They always support the Valparaiso Fall Harvest Festival and the Valparaiso Outdoor Movies. The company is a sponsor for the Family & Youth Services Bureau’s Chalk the Walk event and the Valpo Park’s Bikin’ and Eggs day. They make their way to the Chesterton European Market to support local vendors, and can also be found at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk and American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women.
This year, GIS will be at the Porter County Fair, supporting the “Taste of 4-H” Foods Auction and the Celebration Sale, which is coming up in late July!
Another thing that makes GIS unique is their Blue Jean Friday program. For a $5.00 donation, employees can wear jeans to work every Friday. All the money raised, plus the company match, is then donated to their organization of the month. Many Porter County organizations have benefitted from the program, including the Boys & Girls Club and Baptist Children’s Home.
GIS employees specialize in insurance and risk management, and are committed to providing the highest standards of service and responsiveness to their clients. With a unified, professional team built on integrity and hard work, GIS takes the company’s mission and applies it to their volunteerism in the community, making it a better place to live, work, grow and play!
General Insurance Services has locations in Valparaiso, Michigan City and La Porte. To find out more about their services, click here.