ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.,
Jan. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Duke Energy is powering its communities with more than
electricity. In 2017, the company invested more than $5 million in Sunshine
State nonprofit organizations.
The grants were awarded by 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.
"We are committed to our communities," said Harry Sideris, president, Duke Energy Florida.
"Giving back is an integral part of our company's philosophy. We
live, work and raise our children in the communities we serve, and
we look forward to continuing our legacy of charitable giving and
employee volunteerism."
Florida's 2017 grant recipients
included organizations from across the state including Clearwater
Marine Aquarium, Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, United Arts of
Central Florida, Orlando Science
Center, Bok Tower Gardens, CareerSource Pinellas, Inc./The Science
Center, 35 education foundations supporting schools and dozens of
others.
Duke Energy's philanthropy helped fund projects such as
providing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-focused
after school classes for underserved elementary and middle school
students, assisting conservancy initiatives and supporting cultural
arts and arts education.
The company also partnered with the Tampa Bay Rays on its
Victories for Veterans program for the second consecutive year,
through which the Duke Energy Foundation donated more than
$79,000 to charities that support
veterans across the state.
The Duke Energy Foundation also responded to emergent needs that
arose in 2017, including $1 million
to assist communities, customers and neighbors impacted by
Hurricane Irma. The funds were distributed through state, regional
and local organizations, such as the Volunteer Florida Foundation,
14 United Way agencies, the Energy Neighbor Fund and several
community agencies.
The foundation awarded a $1
million grant to United Way Suncoast for the Campbell Park
community and its surrounding neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, Fla. Duke Energy Florida's
commitment is enabling United Way Suncoast to rapidly expand and
increase capacity at the center that empowers individuals and
families with resources and training to work toward long-term
stability.
"Lives will be changed for the better thanks to Duke Energy
Foundation's investment in the Campbell Park community," said
Suzanne McCormick, president and CEO
of United Way Suncoast. "Their generosity continues to inspire
others to take action and we are proud to have them as partners in
the newly opened Campbell Park Resource Center Annex, serving
children and families across the community."
Employee Volunteerism
Duke Energy's financial support
solidifies its commitment to the communities it serves.
Florida employees have also rolled up their sleeves to help
their neighbors. Last year, employees volunteered more than 15,000
hours in their communities.
In 2017, employees participated in dozens of volunteer events in
Florida, including restoring
native habitats by planting critically-endangered species at Bok
Tower, cleaning the Port St. Joe
coast for sea turtle nesting season, helping children get to school
safely with the "walking school bus" program, painting and
enhancement projects in the Campbell Park neighborhood, completing
landscaping and beautification projects at Bay Pines Veterans
Affairs Healthcare System and organizing food, clothing and school
supply drives for those in need. A wrap-up video highlighting Duke
Energy volunteer events in Florida
is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMwcHboEnyQhttps://youtu.be/GzMRPsaCNxM.
The foundation annually funds more than $30 million to communities throughout Duke
Energy's seven-state service area. In 2016, the company donated
more than $3 million to nonprofit
organizations in Florida.
For additional information on Duke Energy's community giving
programs visit duke-energy.com/foundation.
About 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 duke-energy.com/foundation.
Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 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 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: Peveeta Persaud
Office: 727.820.5592 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_PeveetaP
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SOURCE Duke Energy