Our work from home
JOURNEY EDITION 3
(April 29, 2020)
Dear Colleagues: Times such as these often bring to light the best of human behavior. What we are seeing today, in the shadow of COVID-19, is a prolonged and consistent effort on the part of so many to serve others, often at the expense of their own personal welfare, in the face of the unknown. Our first responders are those who immediately come to mind—the countless health care workers, our public safety and law enforcement officers, our emergency workers and fire departments—these are the people who today more than ever are on the front lines of protecting us. There are also those who are sacrificing so that our daily lives can function with some semblance of normalcy. And there are so many more, unseen and unknown, who are potentially putting themselves in harm’s way to help people they may not even know. Some of these are your colleagues. At our companies we have nurses who are volunteering in high-risk hospitals far from home; we have foster moms who are delivering food and monitoring the well-being of at-risk children; we have families who are working as a team to produce 3D printed parts for personal respirators and face shields for healthcare workers; and we have people who are leaving their homes to deliver food, shop and cook for neighbors, and donate blood. And there are so many more who are just doing their part—the unsung heroes who are combining work and family and keeping the world running, as parents, teachers, or just as family members and neighbors. We will highlight some of these stories in our next Berkley WFH Journey, which will be sent to you on Friday. We know that the world can seem like a trying place at times, particularly in the days we are experiencing now. But as dark as this moment may be, there is light-light generated by people, as illustrated by these examples. As we go forward in the coming weeks, we will need to remember their model as we strike a balance between restarting our economy and protecting people. We will never be able to avoid risk 100%, but we can mitigate and manage it. However we return to some sense of normalcy, however incrementally, we must make sure to do so with thought and care. We will need every one of us to be smart—just as one individual can have a profound impact for good on the lives of others, one person acting irresponsibly can potentially harm countless others. We understand and appreciate the fatigue that many of you are experiencing around the current circumstances. But as we continue to monitor the situation as the conversation turns to re-opening society more fully, we are doing so with caution—we do not want to rush in, only to have to retreat later. We are actively working with consultants and other resources to assess various scenarios for WRBC, all governed first and foremost by the appropriate precautions to protect all of our employees and, by extension, their families and communities. This is of upmost importance to all of us. We will share those plans with you as they develop, hopefully in the near future. Until then, please continue to stay well. We wish good health to you and your families as we go forward together. Bill and Rob Berkley
We Are ALL in this
TOGETHER We are ALL in this TOGETHER! W. R. Berkley Corporation will be donating $1 million to foodbanks, children’s assistance programs, and COVID-19 response programs during the coming weeks. In addition, The Berkley Family Foundation and W. R. Berkley Corporation will each match the total amount raised by employees, up to a maximum of $1 million. This creates the potential for our combined giving to reach a total of $4 million, which would make a significant difference to these organizations and the people they serve.
Berkley Contributions During COVID-19
Thank you to all for your generosity and support.
Berkley
THANKS our VOLUNTEERS
We would like to recognize the volunteer efforts by our employees and their families, whether inside or outside their homes. These generous acts of kindness and support remind us that we are stronger together.
CARL SICILIANO — Berkley Custom Insurance Managers Carl is the Committee Chair for Troop 43 and his son, Carl William in an Assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout of Troop 43; one of the few Troops that have both boys and girls. BSA Troop 43 did this project to thank our frontline workers. The scouts wanted to give back to the front line workers during this crisis; they designed and decorated each sign. BSA Troop 43 is in Brightwaters on Long Island.
DANIELLE SCHROEDER — Midwest Employers Casualty Danielle Schroeder’s family, led by her son Hayden and his Lutheran High School St Charles Robotics team (Lutheran Roboteers 4329), has participated in two efforts. The first, near the end of March, was to harvest blower/motors from CPAP machines and produce 3D printed parts for use in low-cost Purified Air Personal Respirators (PAPRs) for healthcare workers. The first working prototype was delivered to the ICU at Missouri Baptist St Louis at the end of March for immediate use. Initial reports were that the ICU staff loved them and wanted more immediately. The Roboteers ended up producing 25 units.
Our homemade PAPR
The Roboteers have also delivered over 335 3D printed parts and assembled over 100 complete face shield units. Those first 100 units were delivered to the offices of Lutheran Senior Services in response to an urgent request for PPE. The LHS Robotics team, around April 15, received a grant from The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis for $10,000. That grant came with the challenge to produce at least 3200 Face Shields over the next 6-8 weeks. The team accepted that challenge and we are currently in the middle of production.
Berkley Accident & Health
SUSAN CLARKE Susan Clarke’s family (Berkley Accident and Health) is donating School and Art Supplies for Distance Learning Programs
CINDY BRIGHT is making masks for Mercer Mask Initiative and grocery shopping for an elderly couple in Princeton, NJ.
LOUANN GASPARRO is making masks for friends, family and local hospital. She has made 75 so far with another 100 to go!
BECKY ANTHONY is participating in Charity Miles. https://charitymiles.org/ . An app on her phone logs every step taken around the house to a Walk/Run/Bike and donates money to a selected charity.
Acadia Insurance — Employees volunteer locally
PETER MILANO makes donation to two separate school districts in the Capital Region who are still providing meals for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
KATHERINE ROLFE has been keeping busy in the evenings and on the weekends by shopping for multiple neighbors and cooking for one elderly neighbor. She and her wife Tiffany are also a part of the Yarmouth Community Corona Task Force and, as part of this, they are checking in on their neighbors in the condominium association to make sure everyone is well and taken care of. They are also shopping for and donating to the Yarmouth Food Bank. Katherine has also donated blood as the American Red Cross is in critical need of donations at this time
Berkley Life Sciences & Berkley Surety
VOLUNTEERING
KINGA DOLAN — SERVE IT FORWARD (BLS) Kinga was one of the creative geniuses behind this program. The program encourages members of the community to purchase gift cards from local restaurants that are donated to Atlantic Health System hospital workers. It is a winwin proposition!
CHRIS DORKO — (BLS) As a shift leader of the Summit, NJ Fire Department, Chris and his team have taken on a variety of new roles. Many of their response calls now serve COVID-19 patients and they are supporting their regional hospital. When asked, they do drive-bys to wish a Happy Birthday, Get Well Wish, or thank volunteers. To the left is Chris’ daughter sewing masks.
BOB KELLY — Berkley Surety Bob has made donations in response to COVID-19 needs to Feeding America, FeedRVillage and St. John’s Feeding the Hungry Program. His wife, Mary is in the middle of the crisis as a nurse at Christ Hospital in NJ.
Another great video from Berkley Life Sciences — (THANKS CLAIRE!)
Berkley Surety Group Gives Back DENISE EBY —(Berkley Surety Group) is making and distributing face masks. A clothing manufacturer in my community has switched from making sportswear to making face masks. AST Sportswear created a HUGE event this past Saturday to hand out 20,000 face masks free of charge. It was covered by CBS local news and signs everywhere advertised the event. https://cbsloc.al/2VEDDCZ. Last Thursday evening, less than two days before the event, the Mayor ProTem of Brea (the city where I live) called me (we’re friends) and he asked me to find volunteers to help distribute the masks. With less than 36 hours to go, I put a group of volunteers together to show up, get shirts, work in shifts, and help wherever the company needed help. I found volunteers from all over the city using the Nextdoor App. Although the posted times were 10 am to 2 pm, people started showing up before 9 am from all over Orange County. We had the car lines moving as quickly as possible, but some said the lines were two miles long. Some people waited in line for nearly two hours for four cloth face masks. I volunteered for the early shift and worked from 8:45 to 11:45 greeting people and instructing them on how to receive the masks “no touch” by rolling down a window all the way so that people could drop them into the cars. AST ended up giving away closer to 40,000 masks by the end of Saturday.
Masks protect our front-line workers
Berkley Agribusiness Team Volunteering their time and talents
JENNY PETERSON and her parents are making masks for local hospitals and care centers. They have already made and delivered over 500 masks. Her daughter is in healthcare and helping to provide PPE for staff.
ANDREA STUMPF is also providing masks (above right) and sharing smiles in
the neighborhood.
JENNY PETERSON is crocheting mask extenders so masks don’t have to be worn on raw ears (Photo on the left).
ELESA HURLEY is donating food to the food bank & making masks for local nursing home.
BRENDA DUNPHY family is donating food to local food banks.
Continental Western Group Volunteering in a variety of ways
MIKE BURNHAM is helping at local assisted living center by getting groceries for the residents, trips to the liquor store for the residents, putting gas in cars as needed.
NANCY HARTZ is purchasing fabric for a group of local women making masks for local hospital. PENNY HAN provides financial support to one of her cousin’s favorite charities in honor of her work on the front lines in a grocery store.
PATTY NICHOLS made approximately 250 masks for family and friends, but most were donated to a local Assisted Living Facility in Lincoln, NE.
JENNIFER SIEBENAHLER (Active Reservist) is called in to assist making masks. She had to train men in the unit how to sew the masks.
Volunteers
During COVID-19 CRISIS
Berkley Aspire, Berkley Human Services, Berkley Risk, Berkley Technology Underwriters
MICHAEL HAGLUND — BTU Michael has been giving his time to volunteer at Caring Hearts in Action in Farmington, MN. Their goal is to help as many people as possible by providing clothing and food to those in need. He assists with packing boxes, directing traffic and loading food into cars. Just this past week they donated and gave away over 40,000 lbs. of food.
HENRY ADAMS — Aspire Henry has been working with Feed More, a foodbank in Richmond, VA. He delivers “Meals on Wheels” and works in their warehouse packing boxes for delivery.
MATT MUELLER & JEANNE SULLIVAN — BTU Matt and Jeannie have signed up to pack emergency food boxes and other high-demand items at Second Harvest Heartland, a local food bank in Minneapolis on May 5, 2020.
CAROL GEIGER — Berkley Risk Carol donated N95 masks to her local police department and donated materials needed to make masks that were distributed to health care workers and people in long-term care facilities.
LYNN GROH — Berkley Risk Lynn, through HandsOn Twin Cities, donated and delivered activity care packages to disabled youth and adults while they shelter in place.
DALE HAUG — Berkley Risk Donated 500+ N95 masks to first responders and healthcare workers. Dale Haug personally delivered the masks.
BRETT AHLGREN — Berkley Human Services Following all proper safety protocols, Brett donated blood through a Red Cross/Allina Health sponsored event. There is a critical need for blood donations since “stay in place” orders and “fear” are keeping people from making blood donations.
JENNIFER DAVIS — Jennifer is volunteering at her church’s Food Bank. Her Church has become the distribution center of Southern Maryland, offering drive up food bank services. Jennifer is packing bags for distribution and placing food and toiletries in vehicles.
FRANCES BRODEUR
Berkley One
My work continues with kids in foster care which is most critical during the pandemic and has increased because of coronavirus. Working as a CASA/ GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem), in March I logged 19 hours and in April so far I am up 16. With the work I do, I have to visibly see each of my 5 kids once a week via video to look for signs of abuse, malnourishment and make sure electricity/water/heat are working. I make contact with their teachers to see if they are completing their e-assignments, speaking with their therapists, coordinate video calls with their biological family, and write court reports to discuss progress. I also sent out “activity packs” to some of the county’s most high risk kids to try and keep them busy to help tension in the home and curb abuse. In addition, on Easter Sunday I delivered food and essential items to the biological parents on my cases because food banks as everyone knows are very low and they were laid off because of the pandemic.
Our Friends in South America ARE VOLUNTEERING TOO
FERNANDO CARRILLO Berkley Mexico He belongs to a scout group, where the kids request mask, disinfecting gel, gloves donations through Videos in Facebook. Then he goes to pick up items and provides them to the “Woman’s Hospital” in Mexico City. En el caso de Mexico solo tenemos a Fernando Carrillo que tiene un grupo de scouts y están realizando una colecta de tapabocas, caretas, guantes y gel, todo en principio para el Hospital de la Mujer, los chicos a través de videos están haciendo la invitación y los mayores pasaran por las cosas y las llevan al hospital, acaba de comenzar esta semana.
BERKLEY BRAZIL (employee is anonymous) I go once a week together with the group to which I belong, to help homeless people, bringing warm coffee with milk and sandwiches and donations (of clothes, blankets, shoes) to these poor people, who are without any support at the moment. But, I prefer to remain anonymous with these actions, which I do with my heart.
More Volunteers WRBC & Berkley Healthcare
DAN ASAHL — Berkley Healthcare Volunteers for a local St. Louis charitable organization to help those in need. They deliver groceries to their houses or provide food vouchers for them to shop at local grocery stores. They also assist with paying their utilities, rent, mortgage and/or prescription medications in these tough times, especially with those having recently lost their job. For the homeless, especially mothers with children, they pay for temporary housing in a motel until they transition into permanent housing. For those recently completing a drug or alcohol rehabilitation in a center, they pay for their transition into sober living housing.
JANNEY KOVACS — Berkley Healthcare Volunteers for the Sebastopol, CA and other local Fire Departments. At present no one other than actual fire crews are allowed in the station, but the volunteers are working behind the scene. Janney still organizing (or advising the lack of fundraising) events for 2020. She has also been sewing face masks for the crews’ to wear when not on duty.
MIKE MALONEY — WRBC The (Mike) Maloney Family, and by that I really mean my wife Jane, (who has strong sewing skills), has been contributing to our town’s COVID-19 protective mask making drive. Jane has sewn and we have now contributed @ 120 cloth masks, for use by hospitals, police, and other medical care facilities. The list of NJ organizations who have received these masks include:
• • • • • • •
Overlook Hospital Summit Medical Group Foundation Warren Township Police Department St. Barnabas Hospital Manor Care Rehab & Nursing Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Encompass Health Rehab Hospital
Additionally, one batch of masks was sent into NYC to support the needs of first responders.
Volunteering in Our Communities
Berkley Technology Services gives back to the communities they live and work in
BARB ALLEN — Meals on Wheels Warren County Barb volunteers by delivery meals.
LAURIE SEAY — Ankeny Fire Station & Sewing Masks Donations for Firefighters, Police and Ankeny City Workers. Laurie is also sewing masks and handing them out to friends, family, delivery people, retail employees, nurses in her doctor’s office; pretty much anyone I know that has a need.
MARY MORGAN — Food Bank of DE Drive-thru Mobile Pantry: Served 3000+ families. Families drove through one of four lanes with their trunks opened while volunteers loaded food in the trunks at various stops along the way. Families received some type of meats, frozen fruit, powdered milk, peanut butter, canned fruit, tomato sauce, dried beans, lots of rice and canned mushroom soup.
JOHN WINKLER Handing out masks and doing grocery store deliveries for the elderly in his neighborhood.
SIMON MCCABE Shopping and deliveries for NHS staff that had caught COVID-19 while on duty.
JULIE RULE Picking up prescriptions and groceries for elderly neighbors. She and her daughter are also sewing masks to donate.
BRIAN STREETER — Adventure Life Church & Caring Hands Food Pantry Brian and his wife Angela have been getting groceries for older individuals through their Church and they have also been donating to the local food pantry.
MARY AUTEN — Sewing masks ANONYMOUS — Delivering Meals on Wheels SHERICE JOHNSON — Sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Aeta Omega Chapter)) Writing notes of encouragement and distributing them to frontline healthcare workers at local hospitals and blood banks; Raised funds to provide supplies to homeless shelters; Delivered lunch and dinner to care units at local hospitals affected most by COVID 19; Planned and sponsored therapeutic webinars for the community on coping with COVID19; Provided supplies to college students on campus who couldn’t go home when the schools closed.
TRUPTI PATEL Provided 1500 masks to help Gibbstown township police, fire and EMT along with the town’s senior citizens.
BTS Continues to Serve While Finding Creative Ways to Stay Engaged
DEBBIE GREGOIRE — York County, Maine Making face masks for Hospitals & Nurses in the York County Maine Area, Veterans Home, Trucker Drivers (Big Dog Trucking), York County Dialysis and Barron Rehabilitation Center in Portland Maine. I’ve made over 300 mask in the past 2 months.
KARA MOHS — GoFundMe Kara assisted her parents, Tim and Jacque Mohs, who started a fundraiser to provide food support for people in Madison County. Between the online donations and physical checks, they are almost to $15,000 raised. They have started purchasing food and will be distributing it to people in need next week.
BERKLEY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (BTS) The BTS team put together a great, uplifting slideshow/video that shared how our BTS Family members are coping and finding creative and entertaining ways to stay engaged while they work at home during these unprecedented times.
Berkley One ELLEN LONG My sister-in-law and I have been painting rocks for weeks. Attached is a bunch that will be delivered this weekend to a nursing home on the Cape. Our weekend project, in addition to more rocks, is we will be writing notes to nursing home residents which will be delivered over the coming weeks.
Berkley Entertainment Volunteers CATHY LEACH picks up groceries and delivers to two elderly neighbors weekly or as requested.
STEPHANIE PINKLEY makes face masks for friends and family members who are essential workers.
TERESA JAROSEK has donated blood. RICHARD MARCH (pictured to right) delivers food during the “Shelter In Place” in California earlier this month. In his neighborhood, he focuses on helping those who are older and live alone. He uses Zoom to stay connected with elderly men and those struggling with mental health. While practicing social distancing, he does grocery runs and drug store runs with “Front Porch” drop off for the needed items. He also participated with a small group (5 people), outdoor, socially distanced, group training session with a personal trainer from his gym. Having to do it creatively due to social distancing and Stay At Home orders, has been a great way for him to feel that there are things he can do to make a difference.
JANNEY KOVACS volunteers for her local fire department. SEVERAL EMPLOYEES are donating money to local small businesses to help them stay up and running.
Supporting Neighbors W / R / B Underwriting and Berkley Re UK
JACQUI HEDGES — (WRBU) I am an NHS responder! Have volunteered to shop for people who are shielding and who can’t get out for shopping plus to drive supplies to hospitals, etc..
TILLY MILNES — (WRBU) I have signed up for the GoodSam app to help with any volunteering tasks (ie. calling people who are alone, shopping errands and medical collections), but I haven’t been assigned any tasks as yet. I also have an elderly grandmother who is living alone, every now and then I drop things off for her if she needs things.
SHARON FRANCIS — (WRBU) I’m looking after a couple of neighbours. The lady over the road is 92 so definitely can’t go out. I take her prescriptions to the GP, put her bins out, check on her regularly. Her next door neighbour does her food shopping. Then the lady round the corner is 74, so again can’t go out. I check on her 2 or 3 times a week and communicate on WhatsApp. I do her weekly food shop and then pick up extra bits during the week as well. Both ladies are widows and live alone.
CHRIS GREEN — (BRUK) Signed up to the NHS volunteer drive. He has a valid enhanced DBS check in place and transport so has made himself available to help vulnerable people as directed, hospital visits, shopping etc.
Berkley Oil & Gas and Intrepid Direct Insurance
SUZANNE ROBERTS — (Berkley Oil & Gas) COVID 19 has reminded me that we do need to give back and due to the quarantine and self-isolation giving me more free time; I’m sewing for Molly Bears. Molly Bears is a non-profit that partners with other non-profit agencies such as MENDs here in Houston. MENDS is Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death—a loss of an infant due to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. Molly Bears provides the grieving mother with a unique, special teddy bear that has the child’s name on it, and is weighted to match the weight of the lost child so that when the mother holds the bear, maybe just for a moment, they find some comfort or way to cope through their grief. I support this organization as my “bonus” daughter and her family lost Judson at birth 13 months ago, and has found great comfort with both MENDs’ support and her Molly Bear.
KIMBERLY BLEZINGER — (Berkley Oil & Gas) Our church is partnering with the Houston Food Bank and Second Mile Ministries to host a food distribution site on May 15th – I’m signed up to hand out food
INTREPID DIRECT INSURANCE EMPLOYEES have been supporting the Kansas City Ronald McDonald house with preparing and dropping off food during the pandemic
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TEAM GUIDE Loneliness During Social Distancing This is a tough time for many, especially as we face the reality of staying in our homes for weeks. Many of us find ourselves feeling lonely—unable to spend time with family or friends that would be a normal part of our social circle. We hear you and we want to provide you with some ideas around ways to engage with others, support yourself, and support one another.
ARTICLES & RESOURCES Below are some resources that may assist with the unique challenges of social distancing when living alone:
1. 2. 3.
Social Distancing Alone in Small Spaces – Tips on Utilizing Space and Maintaining Sanity. This article does a great job of giving tips on how to cope and keep active in small spaces. Live in a bigger space? Many of these tips would apply regardless. Coping with Loneliness During Social Distancing When You Live Alone – Feeling disconnected with others? This article gives some helpful ideas to help you reconnect while we are apart. You Live Alone and You Contract the Virus – This is a concern for many especially those that live alone. This article gives information about what to do and self-care should you become sick.
VIDEOS, WEBINARS AND PODCASTS Not one to sit and read an article? Don’t sweat it...here are some helpful videos and podcasts that may help you better handle the challenges with social distancing: • Living in a city? This video addresses the challenges associated with social distancing in urban areas. • Going on more walks lately? Check on the podcast The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University. She has one focused on beating your isolation and loneliness. • Our Employee Assistance program offers a webinar focused on Coping With COVID-19. Check out that and the numerous other resources they have provided to help you stay connected at home. (username/password: RESOURCES). • With everything going on, sometimes a little good news is needed. Check out Some Good News with John Krasinski!
Birthday Surprise To Ken Berger from the Berkley Environmental Team
Color a SMILE
Berkley Luxury Group kids’ are very creative. This artwork gets distributed to senior citizens, our troops overseas, and anyone in need of a smile: https://colorasmile.org/about_us/
STOP THE SPREAD
Thank you to our Berkley employees who are working so hard every day, from home, you are making an important difference and saving lives by stopping the spread of the virus.
THANK YOU TO ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS
We would like to thank all workers that continue to go into the office to handle the essential services of our business and maintain our facilities.