Mon Power, a FirstEnergy Corp electric company, has recently made significant contributions to three nonprofit organizations in West Virginia. The donations, totaling $6,650 each, were part of the FirstEnergy Foundation’s annual “Gifts of the Season” campaign. These gifts aim to improve the quality of life in communities served by Mon Power.
The organizations receiving these donations are Libera, Inc., the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (WVSILC), and Centers Against Violence. Each organization provides vital services to residents in need.
Lorna Wisham, President of the FirstEnergy Foundation, stated: “We’re pleased to make these donations to organizations that are doing extraordinary work and providing meaningful support to the West Virginia communities we serve. The recipients were chosen by FirstEnergy employees, who identified organizations in their local areas that strengthen the community and enhance the lives of vulnerable and underserved individuals.”
Libera, Inc., established in 2015, focuses on supporting youth and young women across West Virginia. The organization plans to use its donation towards developing a community center and transitional housing facility in Morgantown. Kelsey Riggi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Libera, expressed gratitude for the contribution: “This donation from the FirstEnergy Foundation is a meaningful step toward our proposed facility, which would enable us to provide housing to vulnerable young women as well as a community center for all those we serve.”
WVSILC promotes equality and independence for individuals with disabilities throughout West Virginia. The organization intends to allocate its funds towards purchasing equipment for a wellness center at its headquarters in Saint Albans. Jerry Boyko, Executive Director of WVSILC, commented: “A wellness center with exercise equipment that is accessible for people with disabilities has been on our wish list for some time. We’re grateful to the FirstEnergy Foundation for helping us move forward with this project that will enable West Virginians with disabilities to get and remain healthy.”
Centers Against Violence offers comprehensive support services across several counties for victims of various forms of violence and abuse. Jennifer “JJ” Johnson, Executive Director of Centers Against Violence said: “We are so appreciative of this gracious donation from the FirstEnergy Foundation, which will allow us to help more clients get their basic needs met in a lot of different ways.”
The “Gifts of the Season” initiative began in 2016 and aligns with FirstEnergy’s values focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since its inception, approximately $1.1 million has been awarded through this campaign.
FirstEnergy’s Mon Power serves around 395,000 customers across 34 counties in West Virginia.
