January 21, 2022
AEP Volunteers Make a Difference
Whether virtual or in person, employees brought their volunteer spirit to friends and strangers alike through the AEP Making a Difference grant program last year.
Making a Difference allows employees and retirees to apply for up to $300 in grants to benefit a local nonprofit organization or school. Some 30 projects took place across the AEP service territory in 2021.
Heartisans Marketplace in Longview, Texas, received some much-needed pampering. Dan Lancaster, regional engineering services manager, and Mark Robinson, external affairs manager, led a team of volunteers in roof repairs, Christmas lighting and mulch laying.
Breanna McCoy at Kentucky Power created a project to assemble and donate Thanksgiving Warm Packs to the United Way of Northeast Kentucky. The packs included hygiene and other items to help those without homes make it through the cold winter months.
A team in St. Joseph, Mich., brought attention to National Falls Prevention Awareness Week in September by providing safety kits to area senior citizens. In addition to grab bars, nightlights and blood pressure monitors, the kit included information on free services to make homes safe.
AEP Corporate and AEP Ohio:
Carol Stewart Village and Star House — supported homeless youth of Columbus through awareness, appreciation and a donation drive.
Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys — purchased clothing and school supplies for middle school students.
Innis Elementary School — purchased school supplies for disadvantaged youth.
M.A.S.H Food Pantry — purchased meal kits and home/personal care kits for local veterans.
Military Veterans Resource Center — supported veteran families with holiday gifts and essential items.
Out of Darkness — made needed repairs and upgrades at the Parsons Ave. Drop Center, including flooring, paint and security cameras.
Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities / The Pioneer Center — purchased Christmas gifts, equipment and supplies and provided special experiences like a bowling outing.
Sedona Grace Foundation — provided dog and cat food to central Ohio food panties to give to families with household pets.
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church — built approximately 20 beds for those in our community who do not have one.
YWCA Columbus Family Center — purchased disposable masks, disinfectant spray and wipes, hand sanitizers, and disposable gloves to keep families healthy and safe.
AEP Texas:
Kingsville ISD Harrel Elementary School — held a holiday event for 30-45 students as part of an Angel tree/Christmas wish program.
Pregnancy Center of the Coastal Bend — bought basic baby items: diapers, wipes, food, clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc., to give to single moms and dads or families in need.
The Salvation Army, Corpus Christi, Texas — provided shoes to kids living at the shelter.
Appalachian Power:
Virginia
American Heart Association — supported the education efforts of AHA.
Patrick Springs Primary School — provided safe, easy evenings and weekend meals for children who are food insecure.
West Virginia
Tug Valley Recovery Shelter — provided essential items for women and children needing shelter from abusive situations.
Southern West Virginia Action for Youth — conducted a Mobile Trick or Treat event for area youth using Covid protocols for a fun and safe activity
Indiana Michigan Power:
Area Agency on Aging, Southwest Michigan — distributed safety kits to area seniors to help them prevent falls and live independent lives.
Kentucky Power:
Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center — provided mothers in need with items for newborns, infants, and toddlers (formula, diapers, clothes, bedding and stuffed animals).
Care Bags for the Unhoused in Ashland, Ky. — created and distributed easy to handle, reusable care bags filled with snacks and essential items.
East Kentucky Dream Center, Inc. — purchased non-perishable food items for people coming to the center for lunch and for take-home meals when the center is closed.
United Way of Northeast Kentucky — purchased and assembled "warm packs" for the poor.
PSO:
The Bridges Foundation — received 100 percent of the grant to "enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and our community through training, education, employment services, and advocacy."
Iron Gate Trust — fed the homeless and those in need in Tulsa.
Sigma Oklahoma Foundation — purchased equipment for STEAM projects and activities.
SWEPCO:
Louisiana
Caddo Heights Math/Science Elementary School — assisted with Trunk or Treat event, using a STEM theme to provide students with an electrifying experience.
David Raines Cougars Youth Group — provided equipment, uniforms, snacks and transportation for activities.
Right to Play, Inc. — trimmed trees, installed new plants and trees, laid mulch.
Texas
Heartisans Marketplace — purchased items to repair and renovate the facility.
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity — purchased paint and supplies and/or helped a veteran pay their portion of home repair costs.
Senior Citizens of Texarkana — provided general facility maintenance, organized stock, cleaned ice chests used for meal deliveries
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