Mar 7, 2022 | Community Involvement
In addition to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity, we’re committed to empowering our communities through various initiatives and investments, such as our annual United Way campaign.
PPL Corporation’s 2021 campaign, which included contributions from PPL Electric employees and retirees, raised more than $5 million for United Way agencies.
In the Central Susquehanna region, we contributed more than $62,000. And Adrienne Mael, President and CEO of the United Way of Columbia and Montour County and Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, was especially grateful.
“Over the years, PPL Electric Utilities has been incredibly proactive in reaching out to help address the areas of greatest need for our local community,” Mael said. “From sending volunteers into the community, providing support through the COVID-19 pandemic, and serving on committees to help guide our priorities for impact, PPL Electric is always there. They are part of the solution to meeting our community’s greatest needs.”
Our Northeast region, which includes Lackawanna and Wayne counties, saw agencies receive more than $36,000 in donations.
In the Lancaster area, two United Way agencies received more than $42,000 in support.
And, our Lehigh region, received more than $2.3 million in donations to five different agencies.
With United Way, we can trust our contributions will be used to improve the quality of life for our neighbors across Pennsylvania. We’re proud to support this critical mission.
Aug 18, 2021 | Community Involvement, Environment
When you’re nearly four decades into teaching school children about the environment –and getting them to think critically about it – you have to be doing something right.
And, certainly, Pennsylvania Envirothon, through its annual competition for high school students, has built a reputation for educating youngsters in creative, innovative ways. And for inspiring a national competition.
It’s why the PPL Foundation has supported the organization for a quarter of a century. Most recently, we gave $4,800 to Envirothon in 2020 to help the nonprofit train coordinators for the annual event, which is a hands-on, natural resource problem-solving competition.
The event began in 1979 as a local competition for a handful of conservation districts and evolved into a statewide competition in 1984. It has remained a constant in Pennsylvania education since. So much so that the organization kept the tradition going with a virtual event during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program reaches more than 40,000 students each year.
Teams of five representing schools from across the state study natural resource categories, such as soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues. Each team spends time before the competition with their advisors to prepare. At the competition, they use teamwork to come up with solutions to environmental problems. This year’s champion – Pleasant Valley High School from Monroe County – moved on to the international event in Nebraska.
Ultimately, Envirothon’s goal is to develop knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated youth who are willing and prepared to work towards achieving a balance between the quality of life and the quality of the environment. And that’s something we’re proud to support.
Jul 6, 2021 | Community Involvement, Environment
A popular Union County nature area enjoyed by hundreds each year is getting long planned and much needed improvements with a little help from PPL.
Koons Trail along Buffalo Creek in Mifflinburg, originally created by Mifflinburg Middle School teacher Joe Southerton and his students in 1990, is getting new kiosks, footbridges and platforms.
The trail was hit hard by the emerald ash borer, a beetle that feeds on ash trees, and was damaged by previous flooding.
Merrill W. Linn Land & Waterways Conservancy, a Lewisburg-based nonprofit, holds a conservation easement on the trail and maintains it. We granted $3,500 from the PPL Foundation to help fund the improvement project. The upgrades will help the conservancy draw the public to the site and ultimately serve its mission of getting families outside to learn about the environment.
The PPL Foundation contributes more than $3 million annually to nonprofit organizations supporting student success from cradle to career; advancing diversity, equity and inclusion; and promoting the development of vibrant and sustainable communities.
“We are sincerely grateful to PPL,” said Geoff Goodenow, the organization’s coordinator. “The funds from PPL will help to create much needed footbridges along the paths which meander within restored wetlands south of the covered bridge. Visitors to the area enjoy seeing wildflowers, various types of birds and hearing a seasonal chorus of amphibians.”
Each year, hundreds of people participate in programs held in the trail area along with the incalculable number of local residents who visit daily.
The trail is on part of a 30-acre property once owned by Mifflinburg resident and businesswoman Mary Koons. Current owners Ryan and Samantha Sabo have expanded access to the property by creating additional walkways in adjacent wetland meadows and fields. The area is private property but is open to the public from dawn to dusk for people and pets.
The Merrill Linn Conservancy is a 501c3 nonprofit. Its mission includes preservation/conservation of the natural resources and beauty of land and waterways and to engage the public in creating awareness and instilling responsible stewardship of our resources.
Mar 30, 2021 | Community Involvement
In 2018 when we agreed to grant $100,000 to the Susquehanna Health Foundation toward an “ambulance bus,” it was an exciting and innovative idea. But this year, we saw that idea and vision come to life.
Now, this climate-controlled, 15 passenger, ambulance bus will be used for a variety of functions, all contributing to the health and safety of the community. The goal is to reach residents across 12 counties, 7 of which are within our territory, through paramedic and firefighter training and drills for emergency responders. It’s already been put to good use, delivering COVID19 vaccines to senior citizens in Williamsport, Lycoming County.
Since its founding in 2015, the PPL Foundation has contributed $15 million to organizations across our 29-county region. We’re proud to play a small part in preparing for the unique healthcare needs of this area, while supporting two of the PPL Foundation’s major focuses: education and sustainable communities.
We’re looking forward to seeing the ambulance bus in action!
