Local gifts totaling $40,000 are part of the FirstEnergy Foundation's
annual holiday campaign
TOLEDO,
Ohio, Jan. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The
FirstEnergy Foundation granted surprise $20,000 "Gifts of the Season" to two local
nonprofits that are working to make lives better in communities
within Toledo Edison's service area.
The recipients of this year's gifts are Sunshine Communities,
Inc. in Maumee and Grace Community
Center in Toledo – two
Lucas County organizations that
provide support services to underserved and vulnerable individuals
of all ages across northwest Ohio.
"We're proud to support these organizations because their
missions align with our commitment to a diverse, equitable and
inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, included and
respected," said Pat Mullin, acting
president of FirstEnergy's Ohio
operations. "The winners were chosen by FirstEnergy External
Affairs employees who identified organizations in their local areas
that do extraordinary work to strengthen the community and enhance
the lives of vulnerable and underserved populations."
Sunshine Communities has supported people with developmental and
intellectual disabilities for more than 70 years through
residential, vocational, clinical, therapeutic, and recreational
services. Whether on their main campus in Maumee, or at the dozens of homes in the
Toledo area, Sunshine Communities
supports more than 250 individuals. Additionally, Sunshine
individuals and staff operate Georgette's Grounds and Gifts, a
coffee shop located in downtown Maumee and Sunshine Studios, an art studio and
gift store offering a work environment to individuals and classes
to the community.
"Sunshine's mission is to create a close-knit community among
people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends,
and staff," said Shannon Bova, chief
community relations officer at Sunshine. "The generous funds from
the FirstEnergy Foundation will allow us to continue offering
services and employment opportunities to individuals with
developmental disabilities."
Similarly, Grace Community Center offers employment and career
development to jobseekers, General Educational Development test
preparation for adults, year-round education and social development
programs for young people, and many more services to better the
lives of hundreds of families in the northwest Ohio.
"The Center focuses on educating low-income single moms,
developing self-esteem opportunities and providing opportunities to
assist them to become more employable and more stable," said
Elaine Page, executive director of
Grace Community Center. "This gift from FirstEnergy Foundation will
help us fulfill our mission to support those in need while
developing their self-sufficiency and self-actualization."
Photos of FirstEnergy's annual "Gifts of the Season" check
presentations are being shared on social media using the
hashtag #GiftsofFE. Since its inception in 2016, the
campaign has awarded more than $500,000 to organizations that work to strengthen
communities.
The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp.
(NYSE: FE) and provides support to tax-exempt nonprofits, including
health and human services agencies, educational organizations,
cultural and arts programs and institutions, and civic groups in
areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and
in areas where the company conducts business.
Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest
Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on
Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy online
at www.firstenergycorp.com and on
Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of the Gifts of the Season
being presented to organizations by FirstEnergy representatives are
available for download on Flickr.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.