Assurance Receives Platinum Recognition Award from the American Heart Association as a Start! Fit Friendly Company

SCHAUMBURG, IL (April 21, 2011) - Assurance Agency, Ltd., located in Schaumburg, IL, recently received the Start! Fit-Friendly Platinum-level recognition award from the American Heart Association. The Platinum-level award recognizes companies who offer their employees physical activity support, provide and/or increase healthy eating options at work, promote a wellness culture, and implement criteria in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture. Companies at this level also demonstrate at least one behavior change, one cost savings change, and achieve a positive return on investment.

Assurance was also recognized for the Worksite Fitness Innovation Award and Community Fitness Innovation Award. The Worksite Fitness Innovation Award highlights companies that lead the development and implementation of innovative and effective programs which promote physical activity specifically in the workplace. As a Community Fitness Innovation Award recipient, Assurance was also recognized as a company that not only promotes physical activities within the workplace but the community as well.

In this year’s competition, the American Heart Association recognized 887 companies nationwide, with 162 of those companies located in the Midwest. Of the companies awarded, 39 received Platinum-level recognition and 123 received Gold recognition. Only 5 other companies, in addition to Assurance, were honored as Worksite Innovation Award winners and only 2 others as Community Innovation Award winners.

Assurance Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Lisa Pinion says, “Assurance is always looking for new ways to continue providing our employees with physical activity and healthy eating options at work. We are honored to be acknowledged by the American Heart Association for recognizing our efforts in consistently promoting a healthy worksite.”

For more information about the American Heart Association or the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program visit www.startwalkingnow.org.