State Farm agents hand out smoke alarms

Agents include Ron Rockwood of Willowick, Dan Platzar of Chester Twp.

State Farm agents across the state of Ohio are handing out free smoke alarms to help communities prepare for the unexpected in the event of a home fire.

Among the 65 agents who delivered more than 2,800 smoke alarms to their local fire departments are Ron Rockwood of Willowick and Dan Platzar of Chester Township.

The local agents presented their local fire departments with 40 smoke alarms each to donate to community members in need.

“It was nice to be able to do something small, but can ultimately make an impact in the community and help those folks who maybe don’t have the means or the ability to get those things,” Platzar said.

“A lot of times, it’s those small things that add up and help people.”

For Platzar, who has been a State Farm agent for about a year and a half, this was not his first time giving back to the community.

“We’ve done a few things in Willoughby with The Wild Goose,” he said.

“We gave away a bunch of pizzas last year to folks during the pandemic when people couldn’t get out. We’ve done some advertising through the schools to help the school’s sports programs — Willoughby South.

“It’s been difficult with the pandemic going on, but we like to get involved.”

Rockwood entered State Farm’s training program last July but has been in the financial services industry since 2004.

The company urges agents to do community events and to be involved in the community, he said.

“I like to participate in the lives of my clients and my customers, so once the company gave us those alarms to present to the fire department, this was a way,” Rockwood said.

Rockwood recalls a time when a fire alarm was given out a couple of years ago. Within a couple of weeks, there was a fire that took place at that home.

“With the pandemic still going on, people need help and just simple things as a workable fire alarm,” Rockwood said. “We don’t think of such things, but it’s very rewarding.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 27% of reported fires from 2014 to 2018 occurred in homes. More than 77% of civilian fire deaths and almost 73% of all reported injuries were caused by home fires.

Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting and smoking materials.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and the Capitol Square Foundation announced Feb. 25 that author Toni Morrison, baseball Hall of Famer Larry Doby and politician Carl Stokes are recipients of the 2021 Great Ohioan Award.

The 2021 honorees were unanimously approved at the board’s first meeting of 2021, according to a news release.

The individuals were selected from nominations submitted by Ohio citizens and organizations.

The trio will join John Glenn, Thomas Edison, Annie Oakley, Jesse Owens, the Wright brothers and many other great Ohioans, the release said.

Morrison, from Lorain, wrote novels, nonfiction and children’s books, and was the recipient of many awards including the Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize in Literature and Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Doby, an All-Star professional baseball player in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball, was the first African American player in the American League.

He signed with the Cleveland Indians only three months after Jackie Robinson was the first Black player in the National League.

Stokes, from Cleveland, was one of the first Black elected mayors of a major U.S. city. He also served as a U.S. Ambassador and in the Ohio House of Representatives.

“It is fitting to recognize these three amazing people as Great Ohioans,” said Capitol Square Foundation Chairman Charles Moses. “Trailblazers in their field, Larry Doby, Toni Morrison and Carl Stokes broke barriers.

“They changed society and the way we all look at society. Their impact went well beyond Ohio’s borders.”

The Great Ohioan Award commemorates Ohioans who have played a significant role in an event or series of events of lasting significance in world, American or Ohio history.

Since 2003, 54 Great Ohioans have been recognized with the award.

“The people of Ohio are our state’s most important asset. These Great Ohioans made their mark not only in history, but in the hearts of all those who are fortunate to know their stories,” said Laura P. Battocletti, executive director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board.

“We are proud that the Ohio Statehouse Museum can share their accomplishments with the people of Ohio and inspire future generations to become a Great Ohioan.”