For more information contact:

Wendy L. Krabach                                                Mary T. Deckert

Director of Communications and                             Public Relations

Fraternal Services                                                   (920) 494-9370

(810)985-5191

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    (Port Huron, MI - February 29, 2000)  Woman’s Life Insurance Society^® was recognized recently by the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) for its incredible and unmatched response to Hurricane Floyd. Woman’s Life^® members raised $12,112 for the victims of Hurricane Floyd -- more than half the $21,912 from NFCA member societies, and nearly half the total $25,344 donated by the fraternal system as a whole. "I shouldn’t be surprised with this overwhelming response by our members nationwide," said Wendy L. Krabach, director of communications and fraternal services, "but when you consider our size, it is nothing short of astounding. Our members prove time and again not only their willingness but also their delight in helping others in their time of need. It is an incredible organization."

    Woman’s Life^® was one of 37 societies responding to the NFCA’s challenge to help. The hurricane hit just before the NFCA’s 113^th annual meeting held in Washington, D.C. "When we heard the devastation would reach all the way up to our nation’s capital, we knew we had a monumental disaster," said Dave Tetzlaff, NFCA executive vice president. By the end of the 4-day meeting, a disaster relief fund was established and a plan was created to get help to all areas in need via the Red Cross.

    Woman’s Life^® was quick to respond, establishing its own disaster relief fund within a week and challenging its members to help flood victims all up and down the east coast. "We offered matching funds for any money raised or donated from our local chapter treasuries, and the response was overwhelming, 50 local units participated," Krabach added.

    Woman’s Life Insurance Society^® is a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society created over a century ago to help women protect themselves and their families from the unexpected and unplanned through affordable family life insurance protection and annuity products. Fraternal benefits, such as scholarship programs, cancer and disaster benefits, and other individually designed benefits, further protect families from unplanned or extraordinary financial burdens. Through local chapters, members participate in service projects, fundraising and social events as well as educational and leadership programs.

    The Woman's Life Insurance Society^® Home Office is located in Port Huron, Michigan. Since its founding in 1892, Woman’s Life^â  has contributed millions of dollars in matching funds to augment the volunteer efforts of its local units throughout the United States and Canada. In 1998 that amounted to $161,902 raised and donated to people in need and other charitable organizations. That same year, members conducted 50,000 acts of community service and donated nearly a quarter of a million volunteer service hours. More information about the Society is available at its website, www.womanslifeins.com.

    The NFCA is the trade association representing 92 fraternal benefit societies that provide insurance and volunteer opportunities to 10.5 million members in the United States and Canada. In 1998, member societies of the NFCA devoted more than 72 million volunteer hours to community service, and disbursed nearly $250 million in charitable and benevolent contributions. This outreach makes the fraternal benefit system, and Woman’s Life^®, one of the leading grassroots, volunteer organizations in the nation.

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