WILLMAR -- The Rice Health Foundation has received a $200,000 gift from American Family Insurance on behalf of its retired CEO, whose career started in Willmar.
The Madison, Wis., insurance company provided the donation at the request of Harvey Pierce, a Willmar native who was American Family's chairman and chief executive officer from 1999 until his retirement at the end of 2006. The Pierces have since relocated to a summer home in the area.
"My wife, Delores, and I went on an incredible, 44-year journey with American Family that began right here in Willmar," said Pierce. "I started out as an insurance agent in Willmar, and the support from my home town was the springboard to my career."
In honor of Pierce's leadership and service, American Family's contributions committee agreed to designate funds that he could target to nonprofit organizations of his choice, said Rick Fetherston, American Family's vice president of public relations.
"Harvey said he could think of no better recipient than the Rice Health Foundation and all of the outstanding work that it carries out in the Willmar area," Fetherston said.
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Jean Raatz, manager of the Rice Health Foundation, said the foundation is considering several different designations for the American Family foundation.
"The Pierces are wonderful people and it's truly a joy to welcome them back to our community," she said. "This gift will enable the Rice Health Foundation to enhance our service to the Willmar area, and we are extremely grateful to American Family Insurance and the Pierces for their generosity."
The Rice Health Foundation of Willmar is a nonprofit organization which assists Rice Memorial Hospital and other providers in developing new services and improving existing services.
