GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is
powering South Carolina with more
than just electricity. Last year, the utility donated more than
$2.8 million to nonprofit
organizations throughout the state.
Palmetto State grant recipients in 2016 included the Urban
League of the Upstate, United Way of Pickens County, Piedmont Agency on Aging, The
Felician Center, Anne Springs Close
Greenway, Florence-Darlington Technical
College, Chapman Cultural Center, along with dozens of
others.
"Community and service are integrated into everything our
company does," said Kodwo
Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South
Carolina president. "Through the Duke Energy Foundation, we
provide philanthropic support to address the needs of the
communities where our customers live and work, and we look forward
to continuing that legacy of charitable giving and employee
volunteerism in 2017 and beyond."
Duke Energy's philanthropy helped fund projects such as
STEM-focused after-school programs for at-risk and underserved
children, technical college programs that are focused on breaking
the cycle of poverty through education, environmental education
programs in public schools, multiple library systems to provide
summer reading programs and supporting cultural arts and
arts-infused educational programs.
"The Duke Energy that we know is local," said Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of the Chapman
Cultural Center. "Our Duke Energy has been supporting the arts and
sciences in Spartanburg for more
than 30 years. Duke Energy has sponsored countless education
programs and helped us put STEM and STEAM programs in every school
in Spartanburg County."
The Duke Energy Foundation also proactively responded to the
emergent needs of communities that arose in 2016, by giving
$100,000 to the One SC Fund, Harvest
Hope Food Bank and American Red Cross for relief after Hurricane
Matthew, as well as $25,000 to the
South Carolina State Firefighters' Association in response to
wildfires in the Upstate.
The grants are administered through the Duke Energy Foundation,
which provides philanthropic support to address the needs vital to
the health of its communities, with a focus on "K to Career"
educational and workforce development initiatives, the environment
and community impact. The foundation annually funds more than
$30 million to communities throughout
Duke Energy's seven-state service area.
Additionally, Duke Energy South Carolina employees volunteered
nearly 14,000 hours of community service last year through the
"Duke Energy in Action" program.
In 2016, Duke Energy employees rolled up their sleeves to help
their neighbors throughout South
Carolina, including revitalizing playgrounds for at-risk
youth, supplying turkeys and helping to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for those in need, and
organizing food and school supply drives, just to name a few.
For additional information on Duke Energy's community giving
programs visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
About The Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy
Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of
the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation
provides more than $30 million
annually 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 http://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
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
http://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.
Contact: Ryan Mosier
Office: 864.370.5036
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy