MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:23 pm

Rutherford County Election Commission officials present State Farm representatives with a plaque to thank the company for a $3,500 grant for the purchase of laptop computers, which were used during the November general election. From left to right: Elect

State Farm Insurance has been a good friend to the community over the years by awarding grants in many forms.

“We try to focus on safety,” said Leslie Eatherly, State Farm with public relations, adding grants in the past year have funded teen driving, child safety and fire prevention education.

The insurance company has given more than $150,000 at the local level in 2008 alone.

One grant for $3,500 went to the Rutherford County Election Commission to buy laptop computers that were used during the November general election to make lines move faster at the polls.

“I saw that we had a need at the election commission helping voters get to the right location,” explained Denice Rucker, an election commission and State Farm employee.

The election commission used the five computers purchased with the grant money at larger precincts to help identify voters who were at the wrong location and direct them to the proper polling place, Elections Administrator Hooper Penuel said.

The computers were stand-alone units that held voter addresses and precinct locations only. Voters could tell a poll worker their address and the computer would give them the correct precinct.

“Additionally, due to the shortage of qualified poll workers, State Farm Insurance Company provided some 27 employees who manned the computers and also worked in other election official capacities at various locations on Election Day,” Penuel said.

Election Commission Chairman John Taylor said State Farm has helped greatly over the years by holding voter registration drives, providing employees to work the polls and awarding grants.

“They see these needs and were able to help us,” Taylor said.

To thank the company for its ongoing support of the democratic process, the election commission awarded it with a plaque of appreciation Tuesday morning at the State Farm corporate office.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.