CPS Energy supports United Way with record-breaking $1.1 million campaign
CPS Energy is proud be part of this community in which we live and work. Whether it’s working 24/7 to provide affordable and reliable electric and gas service to our customers or giving back to the community through our United Way support, our employees take their roles seriously.
Last year, because of the caring spirit of our employees and retirees, we raised more than $1 million – a record for our annual employee United Way campaign – to help families most in need in our community. This year, as a United Way Pacesetter organization, we raised even more – $1.1 million – through employee and retiree donations, proceeds from our United Way Golf Tournament and agency sponsorships.
“We know that we can make a critical difference in our community by banding together to achieve a common goal. I’m proud to say we do that through a shared commitment, and our community is richly served by CPS Energy and United Way,” says Paula Gold-Williams, interim CEO. “I’m honored to be part of a team that is so committed to serving our community, whether on the job or just simply as a good corporate citizen”.
CPS Energy‘s United Way campaign officially kicked off in late August and culminated with a United Day of Caring Event benefitting USO San Antonio in early October. Employees participated in a fun and rewarding effort to collect toiletries and raise money for the USO.
Our annual golf tournament with IBEW Local 500 in the spring united CPS Energy employees, volunteers and a United Way agency for a day of fun and fellowship. This year, more than 50 of our business partners sponsored and participated in the tournament, which raised over $137,000 for Family Violence Prevention Services.
CPS Energy is a strong supporter of United Way throughout the year in addition to the campaign season. Each year, we support volunteer and fundraising projects that benefit United Way agencies. For example, our annual school supply drive collected and donated more than 1,200 pounds of school supplies and $1,000 in monetary donations for Communities in Schools’ Stuff the Bus initiative.
A favorite holiday tradition among our employees and retirees is the Salvation Army Angel Tree Project. For the past few years we have supported this project with thousands of toys, clothes and monetary donations to ensure San Antonio families have the resources they need to make a memorable holiday.
Throughout the year, various departments held team volunteer days to support agencies like the San Antonio Food Bank and the Texas Diaper Bank. In addition, for the past 16 years, CPS Energy has held an annual “Kids Fish Day,” inviting the children and families from local United Way agencies to have a day of fishing and fun at our Calaveras Lake Park. Partnering with Any Baby Can this year, we had over 100 employee and family member volunteers support this enriching family event.
The theme of this year’s community campaign is “Changing Lives.” Our campaign contributed to a record $37,560,269 raised for the United Way by the 93 local companies who “set the pace” for the community-wide effort, along with 78 United Way agencies and nonprofit partners. This was a 4.5% increase over last year’s Pacesetter results and a great sign that the community is doing more.
“San Antonio is one of the most generous cities in the country for United Way giving and a leader within the state of Texas,” said United Way Community Campaign Chair, and president and COO of H-E-B, Craig Boyan. “In this year that I’ve spent as campaign chair, I have seen the needs firsthand. And, I’ve also seen the real results, the real impact of your United Way support. United Way makes a difference by bringing together those in need with those who can help.”
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County supports 70 agencies and 141 programs. Through investment in these programs and targeted community initiatives, United Way has been helping San Antonio residents in need since 1940.
With a citywide goal of $53 million, we’re well on our way for another successful community campaign. CPS Energy is proud to be among this outstanding group of Pacesetter organizations and we will continue to work to improve the quality of life of those less fortunate in our community.
