For the third year in a row, FirstEnergy continued its tradition of donating trees at the Mountain State Forest Festival held in Elkins, West Virginia. The event took place on October 4-5, where Green Team members from Mon Power, a FirstEnergy electric company, distributed 1,500 trees including pin oak, serviceberry, arrowwood, silky dogwood and gray dogwood to festival-goers. These employees volunteered their time to support environmental initiatives such as tree-planting events and park cleanups across West Virginia.
Jessica Shaffer, an advanced scientist with FirstEnergy who oversees the company's tree-planting initiative, commented on the event saying: "The Mountain State Forest Festival is an ideal venue for a large tree giveaway because it highlights the critical role that natural resources play in West Virginia's culture and economic development." She also noted her satisfaction in hearing about previously donated trees now thriving at attendees' homes.
This giveaway forms part of a broader effort by FirstEnergy to plant 25,000 trees throughout 2024. To date this year, over 27,000 trees have been planted in parks and nature reserves within FirstEnergy's six-state service area. These activities align with the company's goals to lower its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices.
Besides the tree donation program, FirstEnergy contributed $2,000 to support the Mountain State Forest Festival this year. Mon Power also provided an in-kind donation valued at nearly $9,000 by supplying crews and equipment for setting up logs used during the annual Lumberjack Contest at Davis & Elkins College.
Shaffer expressed appreciation for community feedback: “Attendees truly appreciate FirstEnergy and Mon Power's commitment to our community and preserving our local environment so that our trees and wildlife can continue to thrive for many years. It’s a rewarding feeling.”