UGI Utilities, Inc., will recognize the dedication to volunteerism of its employees and conduct a number of community service activities during National Volunteer Week, which runs April 17 through April 23, 2022.
In 2021, more than 500 UGI employees provided over 40,000 volunteer hours to local, regional, and statewide initiatives. The company continued its long-established and successful programs that foster a successful education for our youth, fulfill critical community service needs, promote environmental stewardship, and support home safety and emergency preparation.
UGI’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves across Pennsylvania did not change because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Where volunteerism was possible, UGI employees did so in a safe and effective manner. If in-person assistance was not possible, UGI helped raise critical funds, organized drives to collect needed items, or participated in virtual meetings, presentations, and other events.
The past year marked the 30th anniversary of the UGI-Reading Is Fundamental partnership promoting early childhood literacy. Since 1991, UGI has distributed over 1.5 million books to more than 500,000 first-grade students in schools across Pennsylvania. UGI employees have donated over 20,000 hours helping instill the love of reading. UGI’s ongoing underwriting of youth literacy is rooted in studies that indicate students who do not read at grade level by Grade 4 will likely struggle throughout their educational experiences.
UGI also provided ongoing support of organizations who addressed food insecurity during the pandemic. UGI and its employees assisted local food banks across Pennsylvania both financially and with volunteers to help package food for distribution. In addition, a fundraising effort allowed employees to purchase “Fueling Hope, Fighting Hunger” t-shirts with part of the proceeds donated to regional food banks.
In addition to food insecurity, employees recognized that children have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Research has indicated children have endured added stress, developmental delays, a widening education gap, and increased health issues. UGI employees indicated, through the annual engagement survey, they had made a special effort to make a difference in the lives of children. To support children and youth, UGI organized drives to collect school supplies for those in need, as well as various collection efforts to provide children with toys, clothing, and other gifts during the holidays.
UGI and its employees also honored those who have protected our freedom by participating in Wreaths Across America. Each December, the organization coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad. UGI employees participated in events at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown; Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville; Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reading; and Wellsboro Cemetery.
“Throughout its 140-year history, UGI and its employees have been deeply committed to ensuring the vitality of the communities it serves,” Steven Cook, UGI director of community relations, said. “Our employees live and work throughout the areas we serve and they take pride in preserving the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.”
UGI employees will participate in a number of volunteer activities during the second half of April, which is designated as National Volunteer Month. This year’s activities include:
· UGI will participate in a number of community clean-up, beautification, and environmental stewardship events, many in conjunction with the celebration of Earth Day. These include the Route 1 Clean-up in Oxford; “Ship Shape Day,” the Shippensburg Community Clean-up event; the Rock Hollow Woods spring clean-up in Birdsboro; the Susquehanna River Clean-Up Project in Sunbury; the Centre County Watershed Clean-up Day; the Greater Harrisburg Litter Clean-Up; the Susquehanna Service Dogs Spring Clean-up in Grantville; and the Lebanon City Pocket Park Clean-up as part of the Lebanon County United Way Day of Caring. UGI employees will also volunteer at the Montage Mountain GROW Tree Planting event in Scranton and the Shamokin Community Gardens Project.
· UGI employees will volunteer at a number of education-related events, including a UGI-Reading Is Fundamental book distribution at Arthur Street Elementary in Hazleton. In addition, volunteers will assemble S.P.A.R.K.S. science kits and participate in a S.P.A.R.K.S. Matter Monsters demonstration at Tamaqua Elementary School. In addition, employees will help assemble PSSA kits for Southern Middle School students in Reading. Employees in the Denver area will assemble early childhood “Plant the Seed of Learning” bags in partnership with the Cocalico Cares Early Childhood Coordinator.
· UGI will continue its support for the American Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” program, designed to prepare homes and families against home fires. Employees will participate in events in Allentown and Pottsville.
· Recognizing that food insecurity remains a critical issue during the pandemic, UGI continues to assist food distribution efforts. Employees will volunteer at the Cocoa Packs Assembly event in Hershey.
· UGI employees will also support a number of ongoing community initiatives. For example, volunteers will participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake in Reading, and the Girls on the Run pre-race neighborhood notification in Lancaster.
In addition to the various community support activities, UGI will post information and highlights about Company National Volunteer Week efforts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ugiutilities), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ugi_utilities), and on the UGI blog, “UGI Connection,” (http://blog.ugi.com).
UGI serves more than 730,000 natural gas and electric customers in 45 counties in Pennsylvania and one county in Maryland.
