"Gifts of the season" made to Operation
Second Chance and Stars That Shine
WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Dec. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a
subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), recently presented
surprise $20,000 donations to two
nonprofit organizations that are working to improve the quality of
life in Maryland and West Virginia communities served by the
company. The gifts were presented to Operation Second Chance and
Stars That Shine on behalf of the FirstEnergy Foundation as part of
its annual holiday "Gifts of the Season" campaign.
Lorna Wisham, President of the
FirstEnergy Foundation: "We're pleased to make these donations
to two organizations that are doing extraordinary work and
providing meaningful support to Maryland and West
Virginia communities we serve. The recipients were chosen by
FirstEnergy employees who identified organizations in their local
areas that strengthen the community and enhance the lives of
vulnerable and underserved individuals."
Based in Montgomery County,
Maryland, Operation Second Chance is committed to serving
wounded, injured and ill combat veterans. The organization supports
veterans and their families by building relationships and
identifying and supporting their immediate needs and interests
while promoting public awareness of the sacrifices made by our
armed forces. Veterans are supported with meals, cookouts and
entertainment as well as morale building retreats and financial
assistance. Operation Second Chance plans to use its funds to help
bring veterans and their families to Heroes Ridge at Raven Rock, a
275-acre retreat in Sabillasville,
Maryland, that provides rest, recreation and
tranquility.
Cindy McGrew, CEO, Operation
Second Chance: "We are deeply grateful to the FirstEnergy
Foundation for this generous grant, which will have a
transformative impact on the lives of disabled veterans and their
families. At Heroes Ridge, veterans and their families find a safe
and nurturing environment to reconnect, heal and build resilience.
The funding helps cover essential costs, including accommodations,
therapeutic activities and specialized support services, ensuring
that every retreat participant feels cared for and empowered."
Serving the Eastern Panhandle of West
Virginia, Stars That Shine's mission is to mentor girls and
young women, empowering them through programs and services to build
self-esteem, offer counseling, teach coping skills, boost academic
success and create pathways to higher education and career
readiness. The organization's programs are designed to lead girls
from adverse backgrounds and family challenges to success with
mentorship, tutoring, empowerment programs and more. Stars That
Shine plans to use its funding to restart its high school program
in early 2025.
Alisha Puller, Executive
Director, Stars That Shine: "This donation will enable us to
empower, educate and lead girls at the high school level, providing
not only academic support but mentorship, leadership training and a
supportive community where girls can thrive and reach their full
potential."
The "Gifts of the Season" initiative was created in 2016 to
support programs and nonprofit organizations that align with
FirstEnergy's core value of diversity, equity and inclusion. Since
its inception, the campaign has awarded about $1.1 million to nonprofit organizations that work
to strengthen communities through a diverse lens.
To be considered for a gift, the entity must be a first-time
FirstEnergy Foundation grant recipient, and the entity or at least
51% of its work must fall under one or more of the following
diverse categories:
- Service disabled/veteran-owned business enterprise
- Disability-owned business enterprise
- Minority business enterprise
- Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer-owned business
- Woman business enterprise
The FirstEnergy Foundation provides support to 501(c)(3)
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
electric operating companies and in areas where the company
conducts business.
Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in all or parts of
Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties in Maryland and about 155,000 customers in the
Eastern Panhandle of West
Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison
at www.potomacedison.com, on X @PotomacEdison, and on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving more than six million 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
X @FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
