Springfield, Ill., Sept. 23, 2010 -- Horace Mann's annual golf outing raised more than $26,000 for the American Red Cross, Illinois Capital Area chapter. The funds will help provide assistance to help families recover from disasters when they most need it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The American Red Cross is very appreciative of Horace Mann's continuing efforts to support others in need," said Cindy Jackson, interim CEO for the American Red Cross. "The golf outing was our biggest single fundraiser of the year and will help us respond to disasters in our community, which happen once every 36 hours. Most of these are house fires affecting individual and multiple families." The cost of helping one family begin to recover from a disaster is about $1,000. "We are proud to partner and support an organization that helps make a difference in eight counties in central Illinois," said Horace Mann's Community Relations Director, Paul Wappel. "Horace Mann management, employees, vendors and friends helped with this effort."

The Horace Mann Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $100,000 for local charities the last five years. This year's golf outing was held Aug. 16th at Piper Glen Golf Course. More than 150 golfers participated.