December 19, 2018

In keeping with our new ad campaign, Brighter Future, we asked to see the ways you and your family are making things brighter for your community. Take a look at your volunteerism.

Dave Griffing
West Akron Campus

For the last three years, I have organized a bike-a-thon, in conjunction with #GivingTuesday, the national day of giving.  Over the three years, more than 150 different riders have helped us log more than 2,000 miles and raise over $25,000 for Better Future Facilitators, an organization focused on identifying, training and financially supporting high potential homeless individuals from our partner homeless shelters in Stark, Summit and Cuyahoga counties.  For more info visit www.betterfuturefacilitators.org*.

Barbara Shissias
Morristown, NJ

I have supported a terrific non-profit organization, NJ SHARES both professionally and personally over the last 7 years. I sincerely believe in its mission that serves to help NJ residents who are struggling with their energy burdens. In February of this year, NJ SHARES held a Cool Down for Warmth Event at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ where participants sat in an ice house (built on site) and encouraged their friends, family and companies like FirstEnergy and others to donate in celebration of NJ SHARES 20^th Anniversary event. I’m especially grateful to the FirstEnergy Foundation and Customer Service who were major sponsors of this wonderful event and organization for over 20 years!

Misty Terry
West Akron Campus

My family and I built a blessing box.  We chose the First Christian Church in Cuyahoga Falls as the location because it is centrally located between the high school, downtown area and the municipal building.  People can fill the box with toiletries and non-perishable foods for those in need.  The motto is “take what you need and leave what you can”.   We plan to build another one to put in another location.  People have been very generous; employees send me donations and pay pal contributions.  It feels good to help those in need.

Maria Kieffer
Reading Contact Center

My dad, sister and I helped serve lunch at The Kennedy House in Reading, PA on November 24 and 25 with The Knights of Columbus group from Saint Joseph’s R.C. Church.

Kristina Kodzev
Macedonia Line Shop

My daughter Kara stirring punch at St Bernard’s in Akron as part of serving Thanksgiving dinner this year. The meal was provided by St Ambrose in Cleveland for the Akron community.