State Farm Plants NYLC Tree

The National Youth Leadership Council has a long-held tradition of tree-planting, symbolizing an investment in future generations. In this spirit, State Farm® Public Affairs department gathered this fall to plant a tree in the State Farm Park in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., to honor NYLC’s founder, Jim Kielsmeier. The tree also memorializes Bernard Gill and Evan Dalgaard, significant members of the NYLC community who died in 2008.  

As Kathy Payne, NYLC Board Member and Senior Director of Education Leadership at State Farm Insurance, said: "State Farm is proud to partner with NYLC and to celebrate its 25th anniversary...We planted a tree as a living memorial to Jim's legacy and to recognize two important members of the NYLC family whose lives were cut short."

“Jim, Bernard, and Evan have planted roots that will always nourish and impact the lives of so many," she added.

Pictured: Sharon Tallon, Kathy Payne, Carl Nelson, Stan Otto, Matthew Maloney, and Joni LaDew.