- Supports Pinellas County
Schools' Future Cities program and enhanced experiences at
Enterprise Village and Finance
Park
- Brings total company donations to more than $4 million
ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla., Dec. 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to a long-standing
collaboration with Duke Energy Florida, the Duke Energy Foundation
and Pinellas Education Foundation, thousands of students will
experience real-world economic and innovative engineering concepts
to help them reach their full potential both in and out of the
classroom.
Duke Energy Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to Pinellas County Schools' Future Cities program
to help students in grades six through eight explore and create
sustainable solutions around energy, land conservation and
environmental issues. Through the program, middle school students
imagine, research, design and build cities of the future that
showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue.
The company also renewed its longtime sponsorship of
Pinellas County Schools' Stavros
Institute Enterprise Village and Finance Park, where thousands of
elementary and high school students travel from across the state to
develop basic economic concepts, understand the process between
businesses and consumers and learn how to make sound personal
finance decisions. During last year's school year, more than 14,000
students attended the storefronts.
"Enterprise Village and Finance
Park have grown into one of Pinellas
County's most popular destinations and innovative learning
experiences," said Melissa Seixas,
Duke Energy Florida state president. "Many of our employees and
retirees have fond memories of Enterprise
Village, visiting as students, volunteers or chaperones,
which speaks to the lasting impact Pinellas Education Foundation
programs have on our communities."
This year, Duke Energy Florida upgraded its storefronts in
Enterprise Village and Finance
Park to reflect a smarter, brighter energy future with new energy
efficiency jobs and innovative tools including thermal cameras,
virtual reality experiences and renewable energy concepts. Duke
Energy – then Florida Power Corporation – has been a sponsor of
Enterprise Village since its
inception in 1989.
"Duke Energy is a valued supporter of Pinellas Education
Foundation," said Kim Jowell,
Pinellas Education Foundation chief executive officer. "They have a
long-standing commitment to having a presence in our signature
Enterprise Village and Finance
Park programs.
"This year, we are particularly excited they will be providing
opportunities for students to explore and create sustainable
solutions around energy and environmental issues," said Jowell.
"Duke Energy exemplifies how investing in education enhances
student learning experiences and drives academic success."
For nearly four decades, Duke Energy Florida, its predecessor
companies and the Duke Energy Foundation have supported Pinellas
Education Foundation with more than $4
million in grants, donations and sponsorships.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300
megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million
residential, commercial and industrial customers across a
13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to
meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and
work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric
utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Pinellas Education Foundation
Established in 1986, Pinellas Education Foundation is a
nationally recognized, dynamic nonprofit organization committed to
transforming students' lives, empowering them to achieve their full
potential, and providing teachers with the resources they need to
excel in the classroom. Through innovative initiatives, a strategic
partnership with Pinellas County
Schools, and collaboration with community partners, we work
tirelessly to accelerate educational achievement for all students.
With a comprehensive approach to education, our programs cover the
bookends of learning, beginning with an emphasis on early literacy
all the way through the intricate pathways of college and career
readiness. Improving outcomes, especially for students with the
greatest achievement gaps, is pivotal to our work. Our commitment
to quality education spans the entire spectrum, and we are
constantly evolving to address the ever-changing needs of students
and teachers. To learn more, visit pinellaseducation.org.
Duke Energy Florida Media Contact: Audrey Stasko
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter:
@DE_AudreyS
Pinellas Education Foundation Media Contact: Kate Smith
Office: 727.588.4816, Ext.
2128
Kate.Smith@pinellaseducation.org
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SOURCE Duke Energy