SEPTEMBER 2015 
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 
IN THIS ISSUE
BGE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM NONPROFIT BOARD SEATS

-Advancing Minorities  

 Interest in Engineering  

 (AMIE)

-Audubon Society

-B&O Railroad Museum

-Baltimore Area Council 

 Boy Scouts of America

-Baltimore Community  

 Foundation

-Baltimore Municipal 

 Golf Course Foundation

-Bowie State University  

 Foundation

-Business Volunteers  

 Maryland

-Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation

-Clark School of  Engineering

-Carroll Community 

 College Foundation

-Carroll County Human  

 Services Programs

-Center Stage

-Civic Works

-CollegeBound Foundation

-Community Action 

 Council of Howard County

-Downtown Partnership  

 of Baltimore

-Drexel Engineering  

 Advisory Council 

-Economic Alliance of  

 Greater Baltimore

-Enoch Pratt Free Library 

-Girl Scouts of 

 Central Maryland

-Greater Baltimore  

 Committee

-Habitat for Humanity 

 of the Chesapeake

-Higher Achievement

-Humanim

-Kennedy Krieger Institute

-Leadership Maryland

-The League for People  

 with Disabilities

-Maryland Business  

 Roundtable for Education

-Maryland Chamber of  

 Commerce

-Maryland Corporate  

 Council

-The Maryland Zoo

-Meals on Wheels

-Polytechnic Institute

-St. Joseph Medical Center

-St. Vincent de Paul  

 of Baltimore

-Stevenson University -  

 Presidents Advisory Board

-Towson University  

 Foundation

-United Way of Central  

 Maryland

-University of Maryland  

-University of Maryland  

 College Park ECE 

 Board of Advisors

-University of Maryland  

 Medical System

-Y of Central Maryland


BGE focuses our philanthropic efforts, including our charitable giving and volunteer hours, on programs that help improve the quality of life in the communities where our customers and employees live and work.  We're pleased to spotlight some recent activities. 
Students Learn Utility Skills at
BGE Career Day for Higher Achievement

Building a motor is not part of the typical day in the life of a grade school student, but it is fast becoming a tradition at the annual BGE-hosted career day for the Higher Achievement program. 
 
Kalia Brooks (right), accompanied by her mother who helped chaperone the trip, enjoys the day at BGE
This July, 50 Higher Achievement scholars from fifth through eighth grade participated in a series of activities designed to demonstrate what a workday is like for a BGE technician. In addition to building a motor, students inspected bucket trucks and learned how to stay safe around electricity and gas. This is the third year BGE has hosted students from the Higher Achievement at the company's training facility in White Marsh.
 
"This program gets better and better each year," enthused Erin Hodge-Williams, executive director of Higher Achievement. "Scholars highlight this field trip as their favorite. BGE set up hands-on learning experiences for our scholars to engage with employees so they could learn firsthand how to get involved in careers in the future."
 

 
Students gave BGE a big "thank you"
Higher Achievement's mission is to provide rigorous after-school and summer academic programs that give youth from at-risk communities their best opportunity to succeed in middle school--and in life. BGE collaborates with Higher Achievement to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and donated $20,000 this year to support the organization's programs.
 
"BGE and Higher Achievement share a commitment to STEM education," said BGE General Counsel Dan Gahagan, who sits on the board of Higher Achievement. "A strong foundation in this area will be extremely important for the workforce of the future, particularly in the energy industry. It was exciting to give the students a view of what they can expect if they come to work for BGE."
 
Dashawn Simpson, a rising 5th grader, was sold. "My favorite part was making the motor. For my first job, I want to work for BGE."
 
Her classmate Kalia Brooks agreed "it was cool learning about electricity," however, her career plans are already set. "I still plan to be an actress, an artist, a teacher and a shoe model."

BGE Volunteer Firefighter Receives National "Greatest Public Service Award" From
the Jefferson Awards Foundation
Nick Weber has a demanding job. The BGE overhead mechanic sometimes works long hours, particularly after a storm, helping restore service to people who have lost power.
 
Nick Weber accepting his Jefferson Award in Washington.
When he is not performing this job, Nick also finds himself in a high-pressure situation providing a critical service -- but this time as a volunteer. For the past 10 years, Nick has served as a line captain with the Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department. Nicks spends more than 1,000 hours with the fire department-the equivalent of 125 eight-hour days! 
 
This past June, Weber was recognized for this dedication and commitment when he received the "National Greatest Public Service by an Employee" award from the Jefferson Awards Foundation in a ceremony in Washington D.C.
 
The Jefferson Awards Foundation is the country's longest standing organization dedicated to celebrating public service. Weber was one of two recipients of the foundation's employee award.
 
"I never dreamed I would receive a national award," said Weber after the ceremony.   "Being recognized in this way confirmed for me that your good deeds do not go unnoticed," 
 
Weber was nominated for the Jefferson award by BGE parent company Exelon, after receiving the company's Energy for the Community "Employee Volunteer of the Year" award earlier in June.
 
 "Nicholas Weber is a true reflection of the values we look for in our partner organizations, and we are proud to have Exelon as a Jefferson Awards Foundation Champion,"  commented Hillary Schafer, Executive Director of the Jefferson Awards Foundation. 
 
For more information on the Jefferson Awards and to view the 2015 ceremony, visit: www.jeffersonawards.org/2015-national-ceremony
 
Child Advocates
Each year, thousands of children from Central America arrive in the United States without a parent or protector, often fleeing situations involving violence, abandonment, abuse and extreme poverty.  

In order to remain in the country, these minors must go through a series of legal proceedings, including petitioning the court for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Exelon legal professionals help children navigate
the US court system.
Alone and often not speaking the language, this is an incredibly daunting process.  However, according to the non-profit association KIND (Kids in Need of Defense), unaccompanied children are five times more likely to gain U.S. protection if they have an attorney representing them in immigration proceedings.  A team of BGE volunteers is working to improve the chances for two of those children. 

Joining an Exelon outreach effort to partner with KIND in Baltimore, five BGE legal professionals are currently advocating for two minor refugees to have a permanent, safe home. They regularly meet with the children and their current caregivers, preparing all the necessary paperwork for the various and often lengthy court proceedings. They also represent the minors at their court appearances. 

"We got involved because it allows us to engage in an experience outside of our usual legal work, to assist youths entering this country without the means to find legal assistance," said Kim Curry, BGE assistant general counsel. "It's an exciting project." The legal volunteers also receive assistance from members of the Organization of Latinos at Exelon (OLE) who serve as translators. "The BGE team has been extremely committed to this effort," affirmed Paul Ackerman, assistant general counsel at Exelon who organizes the parent company's pro bono initiatives in Baltimore. "We've received wonderful feedback from KIND on how much of a difference it makes when these children have a personal advocate." 
To learn more about KIND, visit www.supportkind.org.

BGE Remembers


BGE employees join volunteers from seven of Baltimore's largest employers and corporate philanthropists for the fourth annual "Together We Serve" day of service in the Darley Park community in East Baltimore.  Volunteers built and installed picnic tables and flower boxes as part of an ongoing greenspace renovation, removed trash from streets and alleyways along Clifton Park, and created a new sign for the Mount Hebron Baptist Church. The effort was part of a renovation initiative led by The 6th Branch, a veteran-led, nonprofit organization.    
In October, BGE Encourages All to Take Art 


Thanksgiving is not until November, but residents of the Baltimore region don't have to wait until then for a fall feast. 

For the entire month of October, all are invited to sample the offerings of more than 90 Baltimore City arts and cultural organizations during the annual Free Fall Baltimore event. 

Ten years ago, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts developed the Free Fall program to increase access to the city's rich array of cultural organizations, particularly for families and young adults. This year, more than 200 cultural experiences will be available at no cost to attendees. This is the only month-long program of its kind in the country.

 

This October, be sure to see a play, visit an art exhibit, attend a dance or music performance, participate in a workshop, take in a lecture, or do it all--on us! Free Fall is presented by BGE, with additional support from local foundations and patrons. To learn more about this program and participating organizations and arts experiences, www.freefallbaltimore.org.

 
BGE Kicks Off 2015 United Way Campaign
Teams from across the company participate in the annual BGE United Way Football Tournament
BGE employees have begun rallying to support the causes near and dear to their hearts through the annual United Way workplace giving campaign. 

Following the campaign kickoff on September 1, teams across the company have been hosting activities including bake sales and amateur sporting events in support of the central Maryland community where they live and work. 

BGE employees have historically been strong supporters of the United Way of Central Maryland, with a greater than 60% participation rate and more than 160 employees giving at leadership levels ($1000 or more). Last year, through employee donations and company matching funds, BGE's United Way campaign raised $850,000, including more than 2,500 gifts to designated partner organizations. Let the fundraising begin!
 
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
BGE 2015  Emergency Response and Safety Grants
Non-profit organizations in BGE's service territory that focus on emergency preparedness, response, or recovery are invited to apply for a grant through BGE's annual program.  Applications are due by Oct. 15, 2015.  For details, visit bge.com/ourcommitments