CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Although
Hurricane Matthew is no longer a threat, the devastation it created
continues to be felt by thousands of people in the Southeast. Duke
Energy today announced a donation of $325,000 to help seven charities providing
disaster relief assistance in several of the states it serves –
North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.
"While the men and women of Duke Energy have worked nonstop to
restore power to customers in Florida and the Carolinas, we know our
communities need more," said Lynn
Good, chairman, president and CEO. "Disaster relief agencies
are on the front lines helping families and communities recover and
rebuild. We are glad to make this contribution to help support that
good work."
North Carolina
Duke
Energy is donating $100,000 to the
Red Cross in North Carolina.
Additionally, Piedmont Natural Gas is giving $25,000.
Both donations will go to disaster relief efforts in the state,
including supporting more than 60 shelters the nonprofit has opened
in the eastern region to provide refuge for North Carolinians
affected by Hurricane Matthew.
"This financial support is instrumental in providing relief to
the communities ravaged by Hurricane Matthew," said Tony Jeffreys, regional chief development
officer, Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region. "Duke Energy and
Piedmont consistently step up to
aid Red Cross relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters. We
are grateful for their continued partnership."
South Carolina
Three
organizations will receive donation assistance in South Carolina, totaling $100,000.
Duke Energy is donating $50,000 to
the One SC Fund, which was established by Gov. Nikki Haley in November
2015 after flooding affected South Carolinians across the
state. The fund is supporting nonprofit organizations providing
relief and recovery assistance to those affected by Hurricane
Matthew.
Red Cross South Carolina Region will receive $25,000 to help disaster relief efforts in the
Pee Dee region in the northeast area of the state.
Harvest Hope Food Bank will receive $25,000, which will help increase the number of
mobile food pantries available to individuals and families in the
Pee Dee region who have been affected by the storm.
"Hundreds of people have experienced enormous losses to their
homes and belongings due to Hurricane Matthew, and additional
flooding is expected," said Denise
Holland, CEO of Harvest Hope. "The gift from Duke Energy
gives me confidence that we can respond quickly to provide needed
food supplies to families in the Pee Dee area."
Florida
Three
organizations will receive donation assistance in Florida, totaling $100,000.
Duke Energy will donate $50,000 to
United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, both of which were
significantly affected by the hurricane.
The Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida will receive
$25,000 to help rebuild businesses
and economic development in Flagler and Volusia counties.
Heart of Florida United Way will also receive $25,000 for disaster relief efforts in central
Florida.
"After the debris is cleared and damage assessed, central
Floridians will continue to feel the residual effects of Hurricane
Matthew," said Robert H. (Bob)
Brown, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way. "We
are grateful to Duke Energy to be able to provide needed relief to
those who suffered the most significant damage."
About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy
Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of
the communities where its customers live and work. In 2015, the
foundation provided more than $30
million in charitable gifts. The foundation's education
focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy
and workforce development. It also supports the environment and
community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their
communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of
nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on
its legacy of community service. For more information,
visit duke-energy.com/foundation.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy, one of the largest
electric power holding companies in the
United States, supplies and delivers electricity to
approximately 7.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest,
representing a population of approximately 24 million people. The
company also distributes natural gas to more than 1.5 million
customers in the Carolinas, Ohio,
Kentucky and Tennessee. Its commercial and international
businesses operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing renewable
energy portfolio.
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More
information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for
journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and
videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online
destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and
community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into
the past and insights into the future of energy.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
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SOURCE Duke Energy