FALL 2016
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
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BGE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM NONPROFIT BOARD SEATS
-Advancing Minorities'
Interest in Engineering
-Associated Black Charities
-Audubon Society
-Baltimore Area Council
Boy Scouts of America
-Baltimore Community
Foundation
-Baltimore Municipal
Golf Course Foundation
-Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
-Bowie State University
Foundation
-Business Volunteers
Maryland
-Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
-Center Stage
-Civic Works
-Clark School of Engineering
-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
-Maryland Food Bank
-The Maryland Zoo
-Meals on Wheels
-St. Joseph Medical Center
-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
-University of Maryland School of Medicine
-Y in Central Maryland
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BGE Makes it Easier to be Green
Area nonprofits receive
$300,000 in Green Grants
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"In
order to be a good corporate neighbor, we have to take environmental stewardship to heart," BGE CEO Calvin Butler told attendees at the company's annual reception for Green Grants recipients in October.
More than 50 regional organizations gathered at Clifton Mansion in Baltimore City, home of Civic Works, to celebrate the grants program that supports organizations committed to enhancing the environment for current and future generations. T
his year, BGE awarded a total of $300,000 to 52 groups located in the company's service area. The recipients represented seven counties and Baltimore City and included reception host, Civic Works. The organization will use its grant to support Real World Farm, an eight-acre urban farm located in Clifton Park.
"All of our guests this evening strive to either directly better our surroundings or educate others so we can all be environmental stewards," continued Butler.
Since its inception, BGE's Green Grants program has provided more than $1,300,000 to organizations across central Maryland in grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. This year's grants support projects including tree planting and maintenance in Butchers Hill, storm water management in Anne Arundel County, the construction of a sensory garden in Carroll County, increasing pollinator habitat in Harford County and more.
The program is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located in BGE's central Maryland service area. Grants are awarded in the following focus areas: conservation, education, energy efficiency, pollution prevention and community engagement.
To learn more about BGE's Green Grants, visit
bge.com.
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Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (bottom row, center) joined BGE CEO Calvin Butler (bottom row, center) to congratulate the winners of the 2016 Green Grants |
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As part of its 200th anniversary celebration, BGE is providing three legacy gifts to the community. The first is the creation and installation of 100 mosaics in schools and community organizations across Central Maryland in partnership with Art With A Heart (AWAH). AWAH is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people in need through visual art.
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A team of BGE volunteers create a mosaic for the Cecil Elementary School in Baltimore. Volunteers including school alumna Sandra Jenkins (second from right)
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"Putting these mosaics together has been a way for BGE employee volunteers who work in a variety of fields to exercise their creative muscles," explains AWAH's Jenny Hyle, director of public art and community service. "We are very grateful for BGE's gift because it blends communities through a shared experience by making a lasting piece of art."
Since the beginning of the year,
AWAH staff has been working with BGE employees and students to design unique patterns for the mosaics that incorporate "BGE 200" in their designs. The students, from grades K through 12, help choose colors, lay tiles and grout the pieces. Completed mosaics are then prominently installed on their school buildings. Kristin King, BGE corporate relations specialist notes, "AWAH has made the process so easy for our employees. Our 'cube warriors' really enjoy the opportunity to be directly involved with the community."
Sandra Jenkins, BGE's distribution construction lead, found personal satisfaction working with the pupils at Cecil Elementary School. "I attended this school as a young girl, so it brought back memories of my childhood growing up in the neighborhood," Jenkins said. "I was happy to work alongside the children, guiding their projects and answering questions about my own experiences. We talked about their dreams for the future and what's possible when you stay in school and listen to your teachers."
King adds, "These mosaics are important touchstones to our 200-year history in the communities where we work and live. We believe they will help our legacy endure for 200 more years."
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BGE is committed to positively enhancing the lives of the future generations of the communities we serve. Each year, the company partners with nonprofit organizations that share this vision, including the Y in Central Maryland. In addition to employee volunteer hours including the commitment of BGE Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Dave Vahos, who sits on the board, BGE provided a grant to the Y's Youth & Government (Y&G) program in 2016 to develop future leaders for public service.
Mikal McCoy (left) and Anfernee Osandu prepare to serve as legislators
The Y&G program gives students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to serve as part of a youth-run, youth-led model government legislative process. Throughout the school year, students act as lobbyists, legislators, judges, attorneys and members of the press, culminating in a three-day conference at official state offices in Annapolis. It is a lasting preparation for a life of engaged and active citizenship built on the values of civil debate, statesmanship and research-based policy solutions.
The Youth & Government 2016 program includes 15 student delegations from across central Maryland, with 170 student attendees.
"Through BGE's generous support, 28 students from four Baltimore City high schools who otherwise may not be able to afford it, have the opportunity to participate in the program," says Lana Smith, vice present of youth family experience, Y of Central Maryland.
Patterson High School senior Mikal McCoy experienced the life-changing impact of Y&G. Before the program, he had never been outside of his neighborhood. Since joining Y&G as a sophomore, his GPA rose, he became the captain of his school's track and wrestling teams and joined the Junior ROTC. Mikal was selected to attend the Y's Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina in July.
Mikal explains, "Youth & Government makes you see the world in a different way. I am more outspoken and more open to talking to others. It helps you improve yourself. It showed me that you can voice your opinion and make a difference in communities."
Leslie Tinati, regional annual campaign manager for the Y, describes the rigors of the program. "Students must learn and follow formal parliamentary procedures and write and defend bills with fine-tuned debate statements, all within a culture of respect. These skills serve them well for a lifetime."
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This fall, BGE employees and retirees are enthusiasicatically taking part in the annual Employee Giving Campaign to benefit the United Way of Central Maryland.
BGE and the United Way have a 90-year history, and this year is particularly special. Both organizations are celebrating major anniversaries - BGE turned 200 and the United Way of Central Maryland turned 150. BGE CEO Calvin Butler is serving as the chair of the United Way of Central Maryland's community campaign, and BGE President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Woerner is the incoming chair of the board. The United Way of Central Maryland was also selected as BGE's 2016 Cause Initative. As employees have many passions and interests, BGE started the Cause Initative as a way to focus resources, including donations and volunteer hours, on one particular organization. Employees pool efforts once a year for a big impact.
BGE volunteers including President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Woerner (far left), United Way of Central Maryland incoming board chair, support Project Homeless Connect
Fundraising activities to support this year's Cause Initiative have included bake sales, corn hole tournaments and a golf outing - the company's first Smart Energy Open - that raised $100,000 for the United Way of Central Maryland.
"The programs supported through the United Way truly change lives," said Dan Gahagan, BGE vice president and general counsel and the company's campaign champion. "Families who are homeless are able to get a new start. Children can have healthy meals. People have a number to call, 24 hours a day, when they need help. Our employees have always been generous and I look forward to another successful campaign where we make a difference in this community."
The United Way also provides BGE employees with meaningful opportunities for professional networking through groups like Women United and Emerging Leaders, as well as volunteerism. This September a group of 40 volunteers from the Maryland-based Exelon companies, including BGE, served as guides at the United Way Project Homeless Connect event. The initiative provided a venue for individuals and families facing homelessness to receive medical screenings, haircuts, legal advice and other critical services in one place.
In November, a BGE team will pack and deliver complete turkey dinners during the 'Harvest of Plenty' event.
To learn more about how the United Way of Central Maryland is working to give families the building blocks for a better life, visit
uwcm.org
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