Sponsor of the Month-JOHN COLE

John Cole Insurance Agency-State Farm

By Maria Smietana

This year, John Cole will celebrate 15 years as an insurance agent with State Farm. The Anderson, IN, native graduated from Wabash College, and started working for State Farm in 2006. A year later, he opened his own agency in Pendleton. “I help people with their insurance and financial services needs but more importantly, I educate them on how to best protect their family and assets, so their financial future is secure,” he said. That’s especially important for families who have children with physical or developmental disabilities and need help with estate planning and funding of special needs trusts.

John understands special needs families very well; he grew up in one. His older brother Tom has exhibited traits of being on the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum his entire life. “Almost everything I do was impacted somewhat by having Tom in my life,” John said. That includes his dedication to making the world a better place, one action at a time. “My staff and I try to give back to the community as much as possible. Every month, my agency donates money to a local cause based on how many new customers we add. In 2020, we gave over $10,000 to charity.”

Tom started participating in Madison County Special Olympics when he was 11 years old, according to John. His sports are swimming and basketball. John started volunteering with the organization as early as his middle school years. Several decades later, both brothers are still very involved in Special Olympics, although in different counties.

Tom lives in Hancock County and works for Shares, Inc. in Greenfield. The not-for-profit company employs individuals across a range of abilities to perform contract jobs for other companies, such as packaging, sorting, mailing, recycling, paper shredding, light manufacturing, and much more. “Tom has become the unofficial spokesman for Hancock County Special Olympics among his fellow employees,” John said. “It has made such a difference in his life.”

John, who has lived in Noblesville since 2011, has coached basketball and track and field for Hamilton County Special Olympics since 2007, and the impact on him has been just as significant. “The athletes have helped me so much more than I have helped them,” he said. “They have taught me persistence, shown me what perfect teamwork looks like, and reminded me that we all work better when we work with others.”

John Cole Insurance Agency State Farm john@johndcole.com 765-778-2181 | 317-430-1958(cell) 7033 South State Rd. 67 Pendleton, IN 46064