With the holiday season upon us, our thoughts turn to spending time with loved ones, making travel plans, and most importantly, the spirit of giving. EPSA’s members – America’s competitive power generators – are no exception. Each year, our member companies give back to the communities they serve through gift drives, fundraisers, donations, and other projects that brighten the holiday season.
Vistra Corp.’s TXU Energy is again sponsoring Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, featuring a 33’ tall color-changing holiday tree among other festive illuminations. Credit: HoustonZoo.org.
Competitive Power Ventures kicked off the holiday season with a Thanksgiving food drive for We Feed Woodbridge, a Woodbridge, NJ food pantry.
Credit: Competitive Power Ventures, Inc.
Additionally, CPV Three Rivers Energy Center contributed a donation to We Care of Grundy County Inc., a local organization supporting those in need in Grundy County, Illinois. Eric Fisher, the organization’s executive director, visited CPV Three Rivers’ site on November 17 for a tour and to meet the staff (see top image). CPV would like to give special thanks to Jael Waddick, Business Office Manager of CPV Three Rivers, for her influential help in making this donation happen.
CPV Three Rivers team pictured with Executive Director of We Care of Grundy County Eric Fisher. Pictured left-right: Jim Elkin (Lead O&M Tech), Paul Gregor (Plant Manager), Eric Fisher (Executive Director, We Care of Grundy County), Scott Attaway (O&M Tech), Mike Korolenko (Operations Manager), Brian Delcorio (Plant Engineer), Adam Chapman (Compliance Specialist). Credit: CPV. Photo taken by Nick Creasy (Senior O&M Tech).
Meanwhile in Texas, Shell has begun its inaugural Season of Caring, which will run from November 24, 2022 to January 16, 2023. During the holiday season, the company will distribute food and toys to local communities through partnerships with the Houston Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and the Houston Fire Department.
Along with illuminating several festive holiday events and displays in Texas, NRG Energy is engaged in several efforts to give back around the country. In Texas, it is sponsoring Houston’s KHOU Toy Drive, which for over 20 years has contributed towards the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, which provides Christmas assistance to disadvantaged children. In 2021, over 5,000 families benefited from the drive. Local NRG employees also volunteer their time in soliciting and collecting donations from the general public.
Space Center Galaxy Lights sponsored by NRG Energy’s Reliant. Credit: SpaceCenter.org.
Additionally, NRG Energy supported the Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels annual Secret Santa during the month of November, providing towel kits for participating senior citizens.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, NRG partnered with KISS FM for the annual Stuff a Bus Toys for Tots campaign. In Philadelphia, NRG is using the holiday season to promote the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, helping contribute towards some 114,000 toys collected and given to over 50,000 families.
Tenaska is brightening up the holidays by giving back to the communities where it operates in several different ways. At each of Tenaska’s plants, it is involved in fundraising and gift efforts. Its fundraising efforts include a $50,000 fundraising goal for the Salvation Army Red Kettle challenge, United Way, Douglas County Health Center, and Hospice House, and donating gifts for the Open Door Mission Angel Trees. Tenaska is also participating in Project Santa, and collecting winter wear such as coats, hats, and gloves for Project Hope.
Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station employees wrapping gifts for local needy families. Credit: Tenaska
Vistra Corp. has donated over $150,000 to various Texas nonprofit organizations this year for food assistance and holiday event funding, including a Christmas tree giveaway and Toys for Tots drive. Vistra’s employees aren’t holding back, either. Employees at offices and power plants across the country are donating individually to Toys for Tots as well as participating in volunteer events with United Way, one of Vistra’s nonprofit partners.
At the Houston Zoo Lights event sponsored by Vistra’s TXU Energy, illuminated life-size models of elephants and other zoo animals stand on display under brightly lit trees. Credit: HoustonZoo.org.
J-Power USA’s Pinelawn Power is doing its part through making generous donations to the United Way of Long Island Project Warmth program to provide assistance with heating costs for lower-income families to stay warm throughout the winter.
Credit: J-Power USA
America’s Power Providers Make the Season Brighter
Competitive power suppliers always work to keep the lights on and the heat running through these cold winter months, and EPSA’s members are the gift that keeps on giving. Devoted to serving their communities around the nation, our members continue to provide reliable, affordable power to households, and when the holidays come around, they don’t hold back when it comes to making the season warm, bright, and full of holiday spirit. We wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and bright holiday season!
