June 25, 2020

​Supporting the communities we serve is a FirstEnergy Corporate Objective – one that our employees and the FirstEnergy Foundation embrace. Let’s take a look at a recent example.

It’s no surprise that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still providing community support to help those in need. Since many in-person events have been cancelled, the FirstEnergy Foundation is working with organizations on virtual community and fundraising events, such as the recent Best of Greater Akron All-Star Preps event.

The virtual awards show on June 18 maintained the annual tradition of honoring hundreds of local student athletes for their hard work and dedication in their sport during the past school year. More than 20 professional athletes – including Olympic champions Gabby Douglas and Michael Phelps, tennis star Venus Williams and Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes, served as award announcers during the on-demand broadcast. Hosting the event were television sports commentators Jesse Palmer and Sage Steele.

For the second year, FirstEnergy supported the event in partnership with the Akron Beacon Journal and Gatehouse Media. This year, we sponsored the Coach of the Year Award and the FirstEnergy Unsung Hero Award. Lorna Wisham, vice president, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement, announced both awards for the presentations.

“All-Star Preps is always such a great community program – with nearly 400 people attending last year’s gala. We were so pleased to still honor these outstanding student athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “Commitment to community has always been a focus for FirstEnergy and now, more than ever, we want to continue our efforts in making the communities we serve stronger.”

In addition to serving as an event sponsor, FirstEnergy provided gift bags for each student honoree.