As they look back on a life-changing year in 2020, Indiana Michigan Power is reflecting on the support they provided across the region to charitable non-profit organizations and economic development initiatives during a year of global pandemic.
Officials with the utility say that I&M demonstrated their commitment to the people and communities they serve by donating $1.4 million in support during 2020. They report that additionally, the American Electric Power Foundation awarded more than $2.7 million to area non-profits on behalf of I&M.
Toby Thomas, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer, says, “Indiana Michigan Power, along with the AEP Foundation, is proud to have donated more than $4 million in 2020 to improve the lives of our customers and communities we serve in Indiana and Michigan,” and adds, “I&M’s commitment to helping was even more critical in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives and livelihoods of our customers.”
Assistance from I&M, an operating company of American Electric Power, went to more than 200 agencies in multiple communities across the service territory, including Benton Harbor, South Bend, Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Muncie and Marion. Support also went to agencies in Bridgman, Michigan, and Rockport, Indiana, where I&M has generation facilities. With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the lives and livelihoods of customers and communities alike, the AEP Foundation gifts included more than $750,000 for food banks and social service agencies to assist the citizens they serve.
Despite the pandemic, I&M continued its long-tradition of helping agencies in other ways, in some cases adapting to achieve to serve the citizens of local communities while safely maintaining physical distancing and communicating virtually. For example, I&M adapted Energy Efficiency programs to provide more than 8,000 energy-saving LED bulbs for social service agencies to distribute in the two states and added reusable face coverings and hand-sanitizer to 750 home energy kits sent to Michigan customers.
Here are highlights of some of the many ways I&M contributed to local communities in 2020:
In Southwest Michigan:
- I&M sponsored the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor’s annual fundraiser to help provide programs that improve educational readiness and achievement.
- I&M donated funds to the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency Stuff-A-Truck event. The donation was used to purchase PPE and food for income-qualified seniors and vulnerable families.
- Helping Hands of Cass County, with a donation from I&M, purchased perishable and non-perishable food items as well as personal hygiene items for community members in need.
- I&M contributed to Red Bud Area Ministries to provide food, toiletries and cleaning products to those in need.
In North Central Indiana:
- I&M partnered with ETHOS and the Elkhart Education Foundation to provide funds to offset the enrollment fees for EdCamp, which provides a safe, productive learning environment to support e-learning and enrichment classes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).
- I&M sponsored the YWCA North Central Indiana’s Tribute Live Broadcast Auction to help support and improve the lives of vulnerable women and children.
- Donations from I&M to the Salvation Army Kroc Center provided coats, boots, hats and gloves to area children.
- The AEP Foundation awarded a grant to Food Bank of Northern Indiana to provide food to those in need during the pandemic.
In Northeast Indiana:
- I&M presented an AEP Foundation grant to the healthcare agency Visiting Nurse to better reach patients served in 11 counties by expanding telehealth capabilities and communication tools.
- The AEP Foundation also awarded a significant grant to Fort Wayne-based Community Harvest Food Bank to help meet nutrition needs during the pandemic.
- I&M was the presenting sponsor for the Future City Regional Competition hosted by Purdue Fort Wayne. The event engages middle school students in using math and science concepts for real-world issues, and helps them learn how to research and propose solutions to engineering challenges. Norwell High School won the regional event and went on to capture the nationwide 2020 championship.
- I&M supported the Embassy Theatre’s annual Festival of Trees by sponsoring four live fir trees which were decorated by local nonprofits. When the festival ended, the trees were donated to Fort Wayne Trails and planted at a trailhead on the north side of Fort Wayne.
In East Central Indiana:
- An AEP Foundation grant empowered the Muncie Mission to buy the first new box truck in its history in early 2020, just before the pandemic forced numerous closings. Throughout the year, the truck helped the mission feed 300-plus people per day.
- In Muncie, I&M convened a partnership with Ivy Tech, the NAACP and Forward Vision to provide scholarship funding that allowed a minority student to return to full-time status, and complete their degree.
- A regional healthcare coalition purchased PPE for healthcare workers and first responders across the Muncie/Marion district with a grant from the AEP Foundation on behalf of I&M. Another AEP Foundation grant helped the Marion Boys & Girls Club purchase PPE and materials to safely reopen.
- I&M was the presenting sponsor of Meridian Health Service’s Holiday’s at the Gresham, a physically distanced drive-thru light display that raised funds for their Child Advocacy Center.
Thomas says, “We look forward to a brighter 2021,” and adds, “We have hope that our employees will be able to safely resume their robust volunteer activities alongside our customers, helping make communities stronger while keeping the lights on, enhancing our infrastructure and providing new technology to empower our customers.”
