UGI Utilities, Inc., will recognize its employees’ dedication to volunteerism during National Volunteer Week, which begins April 16 and concludes April 22, 2023.
In 2022, 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 workforce development, and support home safety and emergency preparation. UGI’s partnership with these programs included both financial support and employee volunteerism at various events.
For example, UGI’s partnership with Reading Is Fundamental provided over 45,000 books to more than 15,000 first-grade students throughout the company’s service area. The UGI-RIF partnership has distributed more than 1.5 million books to students since its inception in 1991. UGI employee volunteers have provided more than 15,000 hours of service over the course of this partnership.
UGI’s sponsorship of The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation allowed 4,600 students to participate in STEM learning science-related activities, while the Company’s partnership with the American Red Cross and the Sound the Alarm program ensured over 4,700 smoke detectors were installed in area homes.
Donations of more than $552,000 by employees, retirees, and corporate contributions supported 235 local nonprofit organizations during UGI’s Annual Giving Campaign, while UGI invested over $1 million in educational initiatives through Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs.
In addition to traditional needs, the COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges throughout society. For example, food insecurity continues to remain a significant concern across the Commonwealth. UGI provided $50,000 in donations to regional food banks to help address this need. UGI employees engaged in various volunteer activities to support programs addressing food insecurity among families, children, and local community members.
Data also indicates that children were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Research has indicated children have endured added stress, developmental delays, a widening education gap, and increased health issues. 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, personal care items, educational items, and other gifts during the holidays and throughout the year.
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 came together with families, friends, and co-workers to participate in events at more than a dozen cemeteries across UGI’s service area.
“Throughout its more than 140-year history, UGI and its employees have been deeply committed to ensuring the vitality of the communities it serves,” Brooke Smith, UGI manager of community relations, said. “Our employees live and work throughout our service area and take pride in preserving the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.”
Throughout National Volunteer Week and the rest of the year, UGI employees will participate in a number of volunteer activities that include community clean-up and environmental stewardship events, education-related activities, “Sound the Alarm” smoke installations, and other critical community initiatives.
The theme of this year’s efforts is “Building Community through Giving Back – There’s No Place Like Home.” In addition to supporting the company’s signature programs, UGI will focus on volunteer projects in the coming year on safe and affordable housing and shelter.
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 740,000 natural gas and electric customers in 45 counties in Pennsylvania and one county in Maryland.
