Showing Alfa Cares Through Character and Community
Giving back to the community not only represents who you are as a person, but the company you work for. That’s especially true for Alfa® Agents Thomas Shelton and David Bordona.
Renowned across the fishing circuit for his ability to reel in tournament wins, Shelton has a penchant for helping others. He’s mentored students at Oxford High School and sponsored various events, but he always felt called to do something that would tie in his love for fishing with service.
“When you give back to the community, the community gives back to you,” Shelton said.
Shelton’s calling — and countless hours of preparation — yielded the inaugural Oxford Kids Fishing Rodeo June 22. Nearly 500 kids attended the event, and each one left with a rod and reel.
“As an agent in Oxford, I’ve always tried to find a way to touch the lives of young people, and teach them the value of hard work,” Shelton said. “Sixty-two percent of kids in Oxford City Schools live in the poverty rating, which means most of those kids live a tough life right now. I wanted to find a way to connect what I love to do with the community by holding a fishing rodeo, free of charge, for the kids in our community.”
Thanks to Shelton’s support and sponsor donations, the event featured food and drinks, ice cream, and kid-friendly entertainment. Shelton was even able to distribute Bibles to the kids, proving there was more to the Fishing Rodeo than just fishing.
“I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to be able to do something like this for the community,” Shelton said. “The kids were so grateful.”
Seventy-three miles east of Oxford, Bordona makes every effort to make an impact in his community of LaGrange, Georgia.
As a sponsor of the Miracle League of LaGrange, Bordona and fellow community partners can offer differently abled kids the chance to participate in baseball.
“Not only has it benefited individuals with specific needs, but the 13-year-old son of one of my customers — who is healthy as can be — volunteers for Miracle League,” Bordona said. “It’s given him the opportunity to learn a life lesson on giving back and how to better understand that while he’s very fortunate, he can use his abilities to bring joy to others as a Miracle League buddy.”
Bordona credits Alfa’s community-minded spirit for his ability to serve others outside the traditional service center transaction.
“Alfa is a family organization that takes care of your insurance needs, but we’re more than that,” Bordona said. “We have a heart for doing things like this, and you can’t put a price on that. It just feels right to give back.”