- Grant provides critical supplies prior to storm
season
- Duke Energy employees volunteer to assemble severe weather
kits
ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 20,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Duke Energy
Foundation announced it has donated $40,000 to the Area Agency on Aging of
Pasco-Pinellas (AAAPP) to supply severe weather kits
to older adults in preparation for the 2025 hurricane season.
"Helping seniors stay safe in their homes is the mission of the
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, so we are so grateful for Duke
Energy's support of our Senior Storm Kit program," said
Ann Marie Winter, the
not-for-profit's executive director. "Duke's funding will help
about 1,000 seniors cope when severe weather hits. We also
appreciate that Duke Energy is so committed to our partnership that
their team members helped assemble all of these crucial kits."
These severe weather kits contain essential items needed in such
an event, including: a 12-hour light stick, flashlight with
batteries, headlamp, matches, battery-powered radio, mini first-aid
kit and other safety-related items, multi-tool kit, manual can
opener, reusable utensils and drinking cup, notebook and pencil,
large print puzzle books, toiletry kit and hygiene items, and a
tote.
To further support AAAPP efforts, Duke Energy employees
volunteered to assemble the severe weather kits.
"Last year's hurricane season demonstrates the importance of
being prepared. Volunteering to assemble severe weather kits allows
us to reach our most vulnerable communities. It's important our
customers know we're more than their local energy provider. We're
here to help when they need us most," said Marc Hoenstine, managing director of economic
development for Duke Energy Florida.
Duke Energy provided 25 volunteers to build the kits, which
AAAPP will distribute throughout Pinellas and Pasco counties.
"Volunteerism is a fundamental part of Duke Energy's commitment
to our communities. Throughout the year, our employees donate
thousands of volunteer hours as a meaningful way to give back to
critical local organizations like Area Agency on Aging of
Pasco-Pinellas," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state
president. "Strong, vibrant communities are the result of hard
work, significant investments of time and key partnerships."
Customers can ensure they are prepared for the 2025 storm
season with these safety tips and by downloading the free
Red Cross Emergency app for advice ahead of the
storm.
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.
About 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.
About Duke Energy
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.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the
Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy
on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook,
and visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
Contact: Ana Gibbs
Media line: 800.559.3853
Email: ana.gibbs@duke-energy.com
X @DE_AnaGibbs
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SOURCE Duke Energy
