Desjardins donates $75,000 to the Red Cross to help those affected by wildfires in Fort McMurray

Desjardins Insurance, State Farm, The Personal and Western Direct Insurance are ready to help customers immediately

LÉVIS, QC, May 5, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada, is donating $75,000 to the Canadian Red Cross as it works to help families affected by the devastating wildfires burning in and around Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Tens of thousands have been displaced, as emergency responders continue to help with the evacuation and battle the flames. Safety is the utmost priority and helping those affected is an immediate concern. Desjardins Group is committed to contacting and provided assistance to its customers.

"The damages caused by the wildfires are devastating for the people of Fort McMurray," said Guy Cormier, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. "It's times like these when our customers need us most and it's important that they know we are available to assist them immediately through this situation. It will affect them for some time to come and we need to be there to help and to bring a sense of normalcy back to their lives as soon as possible."

A mobile team will be dispatched to the area to speed up claims processing for our customers. In addition, as of Monday May 9, Quebec caisse members will be able to make a donation to the Red Cross via AccesD, or by phone at 1-800-caisses.

Contacts for clients in Fort McMurray
If you are a Desjardins Group customer, please contact us as soon as it is safe to do so with questions about your insurance coverage or to report a claim:

• State Farm – contact your local agent or call 1-877-STATEFARM (782-8332)
• The Personal Insurance Company and Desjardins Insurance: 1-888-785-5502
• Western Direct Insurance: 1-855-674-6338

Customers may also get in touch through Facebook and Twitter:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Desjardinsgroup or www.facebook.com/statefarmcanada 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DesjardinsGroup or https://twitter.com/StateFarmCanada

As this event unfolds, Desjardins will be in contact and work actively with emergency officials and government bodies to coordinate the various relief measures and programs that will be implemented over the coming weeks.

About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $248.1 billion. It has been rated one of the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Considered North America's strongest bank according to Bloomberg News, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.

SOURCE Desjardins Group

(media inquiries only): Valérie Lamarre, Public Relations, Desjardins Group, 514-281-7275 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 5557275, [email protected] / [email protected]; John Bordignon, Media Relations, State Farm Canada, 905-750-5567 / 416-801-6078, www.twitter.com/SF_JohnB, www.statefarm.ca