NYSEG and RG&E Donate $54,000 to Health and Welfare Nonprofits Across New York

Utility provides support to nine organizations in the Greater Rochester region

ROCHESTER, NY — April 27, 2021 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) and its sister company New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) recently donated a total of $54,000 to health and welfare organizations across New York state, including nine organizations in the Greater Rochester region. The donations are part of the companies’ Corporate Donation Program to support and care for the communities that it serves.
 
“We not only serve the Greater Rochester region as the local utility, but we’re members of this community and it’s important to us to support our neighbors,” said Veronica Dasher, Regional Manager, Government & Community Relations at RG&E and NYSEG. “It has always been one of our priorities to support local health and welfare organizations; however, this year we recognized that it’s more important than ever. The pandemic has created challenges within our communities that has increased demand for these organizations’ services and support. We’re proud to support their efforts.”

In total, NYSEG and RG&E provided gifts and sponsorships to more than 20 health and welfare organizations across its service area. Locally, RG&E donated $12,500 to nonprofits in its service area, which includes Allegany, Cayuga, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Livingston, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The company provided donations to Action for a Better Community, American Red Cross of Greater Rochester, Baden Street Settlement House, Charles Settlement House, Genesee RiverWatch, Gilda’s Club Rochester, Lifespan of Greater Rochester, PathStone Foundation and Rochester Regional Health Foundations.

RG&E’s donations will support the organizations in the following ways:

  • Action for a Better Community: Funds will support the organization’s Strengthening Working Families Initiative, a workforce development program which provides low to middle skilled parents opportunities to advance in their careers in high-growth or high-demand industries.  
  • American Red Cross of Greater Rochester: Offered support to the organization’s annual Fire & Ice Virtual Gala, which raised money for its disaster relief programs. 
  • Baden Street Settlement House: Baden is the largest provider of critical services to individuals and families in Rochester. The funds helped support programs in the Emergency and Family Assistance Department which serves families in need with food, clothing, referrals and rental assistance services.
  • Charles Settlement House (CSH): CSH provides critical human services and assists in the creation of safe, secure and vibrant northwest Rochester neighborhoods. Funds will support the organization’s senior center, which provides an array of services to a diverse population including those with developmental disabilities.
  • Genesee RiverWatch: The donation will support the organization’s mission to champion solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee River and initiatives that connect people to the River.  
  • Gilda’s Club Rochester: Funds will support the Heroes Ball event which will directly benefit Gilda’s Club programming which offers no cost support to those living with cancer, including networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities.
  • Lifespan of Greater Rochester: Funds will support Lifespan’s next Celebration of Aging in November 2021 and will ensure older adults and caregivers remain safe and healthy through the end of the pandemic and after.
  • PathStone Foundation: PathStone Foundation is a not-for-profit community development and human services organization dedicated to eliminating poverty and strengthening families and individuals. The donation supported the organization’s year-end Season of Hope campaign last year.
  • Rochester Regional Health Foundations: Funds will support Rochester Regional Health Foundations’ Healthy Moms program, which is focused on creating a nurturing and supportive environment that is life-changing and empowers women to reach their highest potential. Its services include pregnancy education classes, mental health counseling and care management.

 
In addition to NYSEG and RG&E’s donations to local health and welfare nonprofits, the companies’ 2021 Corporate Donation Program will also provide grants later this year to local nonprofits focused on food security, arts and culture and education and young people. These donations will impact every division within the NYSEG and RG&E service area.
 
NYSEG and RG&E’s support is enhanced by additional giving through the Avangrid Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the AVANGRID family of companies. Since 2002, the Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $28 million in partnerships to help meet a number of community needs. In New York, the Avangrid Foundation has made more than $5.5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and qualified programs during the last five years. Locally, this includes support for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester and its Mental Health and Wellness Lounge at Strong Memorial Hospital as well as ongoing investments with the American Red Cross and the Rochester Regional Hospital Foundations.
 
NYSEG and RG&E are subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc.

 

Statements from Partners:

  • Action for a Better Community: “We are honored to have been chosen by RG&E as a recipient of their Corporate Donation Program,” said Jerome H. Underwood, President & CEO of Action for a Better Community. “The contribution will assist in empowering parents in our Strengthening Working Families Initiative to be arbiters of their destiny.  The nature of corporate citizenry demonstrated by RG&E is exemplary.  For that, we are truly grateful.” 
  • American Red Cross: “The American Red Cross is incredibly proud and grateful for the long history of partnership and support we have had with RG&E and Avangrid in addressing the needs of the local community,” said James Love, Executive Director of the Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross.  “Without the continuous support of companies like RG&E, we would not be able to meet the organizational mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
  • Baden Street Settlement: "Baden Street Settlement is truly appreciative of the support of Rochester Gas & Electric,” said Michael Marsh, Executive Director - Baden Street Settlement, Inc. “This support will help us to continue with our mission of working to improve the quality of life for people in Northeast Rochester." 
  • Charles Settlement House: "RG&E has been a faithful supporter of Charles Settlement House,” said Scott C. Benjamin, President & CEO of Charles Settlement House. “This donation allows us to continuing serving seniors in in northwest Rochester.  Even throughout the pandemic, we've been able to deliver food, personal protective equipment and activity kits to lessen the social isolation this vulnerable population faces.  RGE's generosity is greatly appreciated." 
  • Gilda's Club Rochester: “RG&E and NYSEG have been wonderful dedicated partners of Gilda's Club Rochester and we are honored by their support of the Heroes Ball, an event that celebrates those living with cancer and raises funds to help us continue our mission of ensuring no person will face cancer alone,” said Melina Merante, CEO Gilda's Club Rochester.
  • Genesee RiverWatch: "RG&E has long been a valued supporter of Genesee RiverWatch,” said C. Michael Haugh, President, Board of Directors at Genesee RiverWatch. “RG&E's donations allow us to leverage the work of our dedicated volunteers by helping offset the costs of engineering large erosion control and farmland preservation projects, developing river access sites such as the new canoe/kayak dock at Petten Street, starting our K-12 aquatic education initiative and producing our annual Genesee River Basin Stakeholder Summits. We’re extremely grateful to RG&E for partnering with us to improve and protect this critical regional asset." 
  • Lifespan: “The COVID crisis has been challenging for everyone, including older adults. We have had people calling Lifespan for help accessing food, prescription drugs and health care,” said Ann Marie Cook, President/CEO of Lifespan. “We have had people tell us that they are lonely and isolated. We have had thousands of people call to get an appointment for the vaccine. We want to profusely thank RG&E and NYSEG for helping us support older adults during this crisis. We are very grateful that our entire community – including the business community – has come together to help everyone in the Rochester region.”
  • PathStone Foundation: "Thank You RG&E and NYSEG, your philanthropic support to our community directly benefits the lives of many families desperately struggling to make ends meet," said Stuart J. Mitchell Executive Director, PathStone Foundation.  

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About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit rge.com.

About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40% of upstate New York. It also operates more than 8,150 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information, visit nyseg.com.  

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

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