Eden Village continues its mission to house the homeless
Zurich volunteer and fundraising efforts help support Kansas City development
Globally and locally, Zurich has made supporting and investing in the communities where we live and work a high priority. Ultimately, the actions we take and funding we contribute go to work where they are most needed, whether that’s expanding recycling efforts at The Zurich Classic in New Orleans or helping to restore a rainforest in Brazil.
Eden Village of Kansas City, Kansas is another community investment project we support. Eden Village is a non-profit, volunteer-based charitable organization that develops communities of tiny homes to provide permanent residences and support services for the homeless. The organization’s motto is “Imagine a city where no one sleeps outside.” The Kansas City development follows successful projects in Springfield, Missouri and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Zurich first got involved with Eden Village as part of Direct Markets’ centennial celebration in 2022. Cindy O’Dower, F&I Product Distribution Consultant for Direct Markets, and her husband Kevin (a Senior Actuarial Support Analyst at Zurich) are active volunteers and board members for the organization and were able to share their knowledge of Eden Village. After seeing the life-changing effects of the Springfield, Missouri development, the O’Dowers were eager to help the Kansas City team and spread word about the project to their co-workers.
An employee/corporate donation campaign, “Zurich Direct Markets 100th Anniversary: 100 Acts of Caring,” included sponsoring the building of a home for a future resident of the Kansas City development. The building of the house was fully funded, and additional money was raised to furnish the home, decorate it, and stock it with kitchen and bathroom supplies.
Fundraising for Eden Village continued with Zurich-sponsored pickleball tournaments for employees and charity auctions in 2022 and 2023. All proceeds from the tournaments and the auctions went directly to the housing project.
Recently, new residents of Eden Village Kansas City — including the Zurich-sponsored home — began a new chapter in their lives with the proper shelter and supportive community they need. Zurich applauds the work of the Eden Village organization and the countless volunteers who have helped make this happen. We are delighted to have been involved with their efforts.
The Kansas City, Kansas location is especially meaningful to Zurich, as our Direct Markets organization began just minutes away in neighboring Kansas City, Missouri in 1922. Our Overland Park, Kansas offices are also nearby.
Eden Village is quickly expanding throughout the country, with communities at various stages of planning and development in Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Mountain Home, Arkansas; Phoenix, Arizona; Richmond, Virginia; San Marcos, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, in addition to the three locations mentioned earlier. Individuals and businesses near and outside of these areas can help Eden Village’s vital mission to help the chronically homeless secure safe, secure housing and a better way of life.
Globally and locally, Zurich has made supporting and investing in the communities where we live and work a high priority. Ultimately, the actions we take and funding we contribute go to work where they are most needed, whether that’s expanding recycling efforts at The Zurich Classic in New Orleans or helping to restore a rainforest in Brazil.
Eden Village of Kansas City, Kansas is another community investment project we support. Eden Village is a non-profit, volunteer-based charitable organization that develops communities of tiny homes to provide permanent residences and support services for the homeless. The organization’s motto is “Imagine a city where no one sleeps outside.” The Kansas City development follows successful projects in Springfield, Missouri and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Zurich first got involved with Eden Village as part of Direct Markets’ centennial celebration in 2022. Cindy O’Dower, F&I Product Distribution Consultant for Direct Markets, and her husband Kevin (a Senior Actuarial Support Analyst at Zurich) are active volunteers and board members for the organization and were able to share their knowledge of Eden Village. After seeing the life-changing effects of the Springfield, Missouri development, the O’Dowers were eager to help the Kansas City team and spread word about the project to their co-workers.
An employee/corporate donation campaign, “Zurich Direct Markets 100th Anniversary: 100 Acts of Caring,” included sponsoring the building of a home for a future resident of the Kansas City development. The building of the house was fully funded, and additional money was raised to furnish the home, decorate it, and stock it with kitchen and bathroom supplies.
Fundraising for Eden Village continued with Zurich-sponsored pickleball tournaments for employees and charity auctions in 2022 and 2023. All proceeds from the tournaments and the auctions went directly to the housing project.
Recently, new residents of Eden Village Kansas City — including the Zurich-sponsored home — began a new chapter in their lives with the proper shelter and supportive community they need. Zurich applauds the work of the Eden Village organization and the countless volunteers who have helped make this happen. We are delighted to have been involved with their efforts.
The Kansas City, Kansas location is especially meaningful to Zurich, as our Direct Markets organization began just minutes away in neighboring Kansas City, Missouri in 1922. Our Overland Park, Kansas offices are also nearby.
Eden Village is quickly expanding throughout the country, with communities at various stages of planning and development in Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Mountain Home, Arkansas; Phoenix, Arizona; Richmond, Virginia; San Marcos, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, in addition to the three locations mentioned earlier. Individuals and businesses near and outside of these areas can help Eden Village’s vital mission to help the chronically homeless secure safe, secure housing and a better way of life.