March 30, 2023

One of FirstEnergy’s highest priorities is providing support to the communities we serve. And, that support comes in many forms – from FirstEnergy employees out in the community volunteering for important events to the FirstEnergy Foundation and our corporate charitable contributions providing monetary support for vital community initiatives. Here are two great examples of FirstEnergy giving back to the communities we serve.

The FirstEnergy Foundation recently presented a $25,000 grant to the Central Appalachian Region of the American Red Cross in our Mon Power service area. Our funds will be used to assist the Red Cross in continuing its support of the health and wellness of diverse community members through the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative.

“We’re proud to help the American Red Cross serve those without access to the treatment they need. The organization’s efforts align with our company’s commitment to strengthening low-income and underserved communities,” said Lorna Wisham, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation, vice president, Corporate Affairs & Community Involvement.

The grant will help the Red Cross aid people with sickle cell disease, the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S., which affects about 100,000 people, primarily of African descent. As a group, people with sickle cell disease experience worse health outcomes compared to patients with other diseases and have access to fewer health resources.

Regular blood transfusions are crucial in alleviating the disease’s painful and life[1]threatening symptoms. And the blood needed for the transfusions is commonly supplied by donors of Black/African American descent, and it’s often in short supply. The Red Cross’s goal is to triple the number of Black/African American donors by the end of 2025.

At the grant presentation, l.-r.: Brian Bateman, American Red Cross; Tim Pingley, manager, Regional External Affairs; and Erica Mani and Katie Thompson, American Red Cross.

The Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL) recently received a $46,000 donation from FirstEnergy Corp. Our funds will purchase a customized low-speed electric vehicle (LSEV) that will function as a pop-up library and an outreach tool at a variety of events and locations in and around downtown Akron, year-round as weather permits.

“This pop-up library will allow us to reach more people and expand our outreach efforts in an innovative and fresh way,” said Pam Hickson-Stevenson, executive director of the ASCPL. “We appreciate FirstEnergy’s commitment to our community by supporting this initiative to expand access to literacy services for people of all ages.”

Beginning this spring, the vehicle will serve as a mobile library for residents – especially children – who may not have easy access to the library’s main branches. It will travel to local schools, parks and community events to provide educational resources, reading materials and other library services to those who need it most.

“We are proud to support the Akron-Summit County Public Library and its efforts to bring its services directly to the community through the creation of a pop-up library,” said Lorna. “This donation aligns with our mission to empower communities and help advance their educational and cultural initiatives, while also reducing our carbon footprint locally with the use of an electric vehicle.”

Visitors to the mobile library will be able to browse or check out a selection of books and materials, sign up for a library card and learn more about library resources and services from staff. The books will range from children’s picture books to young adult novels and popular fiction and nonfiction for adults. Patrons can pick out a book using their library card, and the library staff will scan it using a tablet.

ASCPL LSEV Prototype.