FirstEnergy Employees Continue Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy of Community Service
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"
This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks volumes on the importance of giving back to those in need and aligns with FirstEnergy’s commitment to bettering our community.
This will be the first year that FirstEnergy will recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a company holiday but not the first in which serving our communities is a FirstEnergy priority.
In tribute, virtual and in-person volunteer projects are being planned by our newly formed Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) Community Involvement Council. The council is a company-supported, employee-driven effort to leverage organizational resources and engage employees in projects that target social and racial justice and community needs.
"We're looking forward to the council providing FirstEnergy employees the opportunity to give back to our communities – especially on a national day of service," said Kristene Hawk, HR representative, Diversity & Inclusion. "This is a wonderful way to honor Dr. King and his vision of creating a 'beloved community.' It's also a great way for our employees to do what they do best: giving back to those in need."
Giving Back
Several of FirstEnergy’s MLK volunteer activities align with the “Power of Literacy” theme and will incorporate book drives for various organizations such as local Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Employees are also holding virtual reading programs through Zoom.
Other activities will include safe volunteering opportunities where employees will follow safety protocols, such as wearing masks and social distancing, to provide goods and services for veterans, military families and those in need.
Several of our EBRGs have teamed up to organize a volunteer project where employees can contribute to the Homeless Stand Down Event, an annual, one-day event being organized by Business Volunteers Unlimited that provides access to resources for individuals and families facing poverty and homelessness.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for civil rights and equality included eradicating poverty,” said Troy Rhoades, Regional External Affairs Consultant and co-chair for FirstEnergy’s Veterans and Allies EBRG Ohio chapter. “We want to continue that fight by contributing to the Homeless Stand Down Event, which is giving back to those in need.”
FirstEnergy employees will contribute to the Homeless Stand Down Event by sorting and packing ‘Cleveland Cares Packages’. These are donated packs of essentials, clothing, nonperishable food and goods to support people in the Cleveland area experiencing homelessness and poverty, ensuring they are not forgotten during the coronavirus pandemic.
“There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it,” said Dr. King during his Nobel Peace Prize address in 1964. The same is still true today, 57 years later.
Stay tuned to our social media channels where we are sharing the philanthropic efforts in which our employees and EBRGs are engaging in the name of MLK’s legacy.
In honor of FirstEnergy's first year of recognizing the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Alfred Leak Jr., a linework leader at the Illuminating Company, presented an inspiring virtual performance of one of MLK’s pivotal civil rights speeches.
A Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Despite the social challenges our country has faced recently, FirstEnergy’s commitment to our core value of diversity and inclusion is unwavering. We encourage our employees to keep engaging in meaningful conversations about racial inequity and social injustice as well as use peaceful actions to enact positive change.
To learn more about FirstEnergy’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/diversity.
FirstEnergy released the above statement regarding acts of racial injustice and nationwide protests on June 3, 2020. The message was shared on all FirstEnergy social media accounts.
CONTACT: Josh Duke, 330-374-6544