Social Impact & Volunteering

PGA TOUR Golfer Ben Crane and His Wife Heather Named Zurich HelpPoint Heroes for Helping Make a Difference Throughout Southeastern Louisiana

Apr 29, 2012 10:00 PM ET
Campaign: Zurich Classic

(3BL Media) New Orleans, LA - April 29, 2012 - Ben Crane, five-time winner on the PGA TOUR and his wife Heather today received a special recognition from Zurich, a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance in North America and globally, by being named Zurich HelpPoint Heroes.

This is the second year Zurich has given the award to recognize those who are helping Zurich give back to the people of southeastern Louisiana and communities around the globe. Since 2005, Zurich and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans – together with the Fore!Kids Foundation – has raised more than $8 million for over 40 charities that serve more than 200,000 children in need throughout southeastern Louisiana.

Zurich CEO Martin Senn presented the award to Ben and Heather during a special ceremony held prior to the final round of the 2012 Zurich Classic.

“We are recognizing people who truly care,” said Senn. “We are a company that truly cares. We aspire to care for our customers, our employees, our people, and the society as a whole.”

Zurich recognized Ben and Heather for having actively chosen to “give back,” since Ben first joined the PGA TOUR in 2002. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina stuck New Orleans, Ben travelled to the devastated city to rebuild homes with St. Bernard Project, a charity focused on getting families back into their homes. Through the Ben & Heather Crane Foundation, Ben and his wife also support LOVE 146 and H.O.P.E. Farm, hosting a golf tournament, A Day with Pros, to raise money each year. They are also actively involved in College Golf Fellowship and Young Life.

Legendary sports anchor and reporter for CBS Television Network Jim Nantz, along with Archie and Eli Manning helped Zurich recognize Heather and Ben during the event.

Archie said about Ben and Heather, “What they do is beyond playing golf. They’ve given back as Zurich does for our city. I want to congratulate Ben and Heather for what they do; because what they do is very special.”

Nantz said, “There are no two better people to pass the Zurich HelpPoint Heroes’ baton to than Heather and Ben.”

The esteemed recipients of the 2011 Zurich HelpPoint Heroes recognition are as follows:

  • PGA TOUR golfer Justin Rose and his wife Kate for their work with “Blessings in a Backpack,” a non-profit organization helping feed elementary school children whose families qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program over the weekend, which is when children receiving federal aid may not have food to sustain them until the school week begins on Monday.
  • Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg for their work with St. Bernard Project, a nonprofit, community-based organization carries out its mission through three primary programs: Rebuilding Program, Center for Wellness and Mental Health and Opportunity Housing Program.
  • Jane Silva, more commonly called and known as “Miss Jane” by students and members of  the New Orleans community, and Faculty of St. Michael Special School, which provides students with special educational needs opportunities to receive a high quality education including religious, academic, social, vocational and physical training.

For more information about the charitable aspects of the Zurich Classic and the current and former Zurich HelpPoint Heroes, go to http://www.zurichna.com/zna/zurichgolf/golfoverview.htm