Amica Insurance employees from across the country donate care packages for soldiers in Iraq

LINCOLN, RI – For the past few months, Amica employees have been collecting items such as powdered drink mixes, running socks and anti-chafing skin protectants. Their collective donations – more than 1,800 lbs of various items from 3,200 employees across the country – were recently packed at Amica’s headquarters and shipped to U.S. soldiers in Iraq who will be running in the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon Shadow Run in Baghdad on Nov. 29.

“The enthusiasm from all of our Amica employees was incredible. It’s great that the Amica family could show its support for these soldiers,” said Robert DiMuccio, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Amica Insurance.

The Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon Shadow Run in Baghdad will take place on the grounds at Camp Victory, located near Baghdad International Airport. U.S. service members have signed up to participate in the marathon (either a full or half marathon).

According to reports from race organizers on the base, the soldiers are training for the race under some of the most difficult conditions imaginable. Temperatures during the day in Iraq often exceed 100 degrees, so the soldiers are forced to train early in the morning or late at night.

“Even at these times the temperature will be in the upper 80s to low 90s, and the blowing dust creates an issue with breathing,” reports Maj. Mark Piccone, a Washington state resident, Apache attack helicopter pilot and avid runner. “But we are still at it. Every day you will see people pounding the pavement to prepare for the race.”

The event in Baghdad will mirror the race events in Seattle – with a pre-race pasta party and entertainment along the route. Because of the time difference, the Baghdad race will actually finish ahead of the Seattle Marathon, so there will be video of the Baghdad race available in Seattle and the soldiers’ results will be posted.

How You Can Help: The Seattle Marathon Association has designed Baghdad Shadow Run shirts as a way for everyone to get involved and show their support for the troops. These shirts will celebrate the connection between Seattle runners and Baghdad soldiers. The shirts are selling for $16.50 (plus shipping & handling) and can be purchased online: www.seattlemarathon.org/marathon/baghdad.

Two dollars from the sale of each shirt will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, which supports programs and services for injured U.S. servicemen and women.

About Amica Insurance:

Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907 in Providence, Rhode Island. The company is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine and personal umbrella liability insurance. Life coverage is available through Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. Amica, now based in Lincoln, Rhode Island, employs more than 3,200 people in 40 offices across the country.

About the Seattle Marathon Association:

The Seattle Marathon Association (SMA) is a non-profit organization governed by a 10-member board of directors. It is proud of its commitment to providing a quality running event in the Pacific Northwest, providing sponsors with maximum exposure in association with the event and making a positive social and economic impact on the city of Seattle. The Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon, Marathon Walk, Half Marathon and Half Marathon Walk will take place Sunday, November 29, 2009. The marathon course is USATF- and AIMS-certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Visit www.seattlemarathon.org to find out more about the race and sign up as a participant.

About Wounded Warrior Project:

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization with a mission to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, call 877.TEAM.WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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Media Contacts:

Meghan C. Palumbo

Corporate Communications - Sponsorships

Amica Insurance

Office: 800.652.6422, ext. 23354

Cell: 401.617.4375

mpalumbo2@amica.com

Julie A. Montalbano

Sponsorship Supervisor

Amica Insurance

Office: 800.652.6422, ext. 22100

Cell: 401.481.7059

jmontalbano@amica.com

Kiira Ness

Seattle Marathon Association

info@seattlemarathon.org

Office: 206.729.3660