NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Thanksgiving weekend marks the 36th annual State Farm Bayou Classic®. Strong in its tradition, the Classic represents the sportsmanship and pride of two schools but it is so much more than a game for the city of New Orleans and those in attendance.

For the crew of the new U.S. Coast Guard ship, the CGC Wasche, this is a chance for some down time before they work to test and launch a brand new ship to protect our shores.

After two years of construction, Petty Officer Claude Bovell and the rest of the crew will begin testing the ship and sailing it back to its port in California where the ship will be christened.

“The State Farm Bayou Classic was the perfect way for us to enjoy the tradition of football and the city of New Orleans before we begin work on the CGC Wasche,” Bovell said. “State Farm’s ticket donation made this morale time possible for us.”

Children of New Orleans will also benefit from the Classic. State Farm® will be there this year, as it has been in past years, for children in need of a safe place to play. This year, Mary D. Coghill Elementary School children will get an entire playground built in one day.

“State Farm is centered around being there for the communities in which we live and work.” says Yvette Richards, event coordinator. “Giving back however we can with time and donations is the right thing to do. And the volunteers who build this playground exemplify that spirit.”

The Classic, between the Grambling State University Tigers and Southern University Jaguars, attracts more than 70,000 fans every year.

Nothing is like being there. To thank someone you know for being there for you, please visit www.thanksforbeingthere.com. For social media, visit http://www.statefarm.com/about/connect.asp.

About State Farm®:
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm’s 17,700 agents and 68,600 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 78.7 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.

SOURCE State Farm