When the fundraising drive officially ended Feb. 18, EN employees surpassed the campaign’s fundraising goal of $80,000, raising more than $83,000 to support local nonprofits.
“The success of this campaign is a testament to not only the generosity of our employees, but the creativity and commitment of the committee,” said senior sponsor Cristina Reyff, vice president for Corporate Finance and chief financial officer.
Led by an employee committee, the campaign kicked off in October 2020 with the an epledge drive. In February, the committee hosted a silent auction and donation drive, raising another $10,000. Additional cash contributions by employees and matching funds donated by senior leadership pushed the campaign over goal.
Energy Northwest has partnered with United Way of Benton and Franklin counties since 1994. The 2020-2021 campaign total is the second highest amount EN has raised; just under $87,638.35 contributed in 2015.
“Health and safety challenges have grown with the pandemic, leaving more children and vulnerable neighbors in need. The commitment Energy Northwest has shown to our local United Way’s community campaign is amazing,” said LoAnne Ayers, CEO and president of United Way. “Your donations will help us fill critical gaps in our community’s areas of greatest need as we build partnerships and provide local grants to address abuse, hunger, homelessness, mental health and more.”
This year also marked the first time the EN United Way committee partnered with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 77 and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 12-369 unions, with union members serving on the committee and the unions generously contributing items to the silent auction.
The committee is already looking ahead to the fall 2021 fundraising drive.
“The bar has been set high and we look forward to continuing to raise it and supporting the United Way,” Reyff said.
About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar, battery storage and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear power facility. These projects provide carbon-free electricity at the cost of generation – enough clean, cost-effective and reliable energy to power more than a million homes each year. As an independent joint operating agency of Washington state, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million customers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.