Folsom,
NJ - In a show of true holiday spirit, employees
of South Jersey Industries (SJI) and its subsidiaries have
collaborated with several community organizations to help
ensure that this holiday season is happy and full of hope
for some of South Jersey’s less fortunate. Through
the support of its employees, SJI has organized a well-funded
workplace campaign for local United Way organizations, organized
a highly successful food drive to benefit the FoodBank of
New Jersey and other food outlets, and generously supported
the Salvation Army and the Center for Family Services through
the company’s
Angel Tree program, which provides the opportunity for employees
to purchase gifts for disadvantaged children.
“Giving back to the community is not only something
we value as a company, but something that is a way of life
for many of our employees,” Edward J. Graham, SJI chairman,
president and CEO, said. “We are proud of the positive
impact our company and our employees have had on local families
this holiday season.”
As a dedicated community partner, committed
to positively impacting local communities and families, SJI
has a long history of supporting local non-profit and civic
groups, a tradition that continued with this year’s
successful United Way workplace campaign. So far, during
the 2008-2009 campaign, company employees have contributed
more than $70,000 for 11 different regional United Way chapters.
Since 1998, the company and its employees have contributed
more than $1 million in support of the United Way of Atlantic
County.
“SJI employees continually demonstrate what it means
to “live united” year after year,” John
Emge, executive director of the United Way of Atlantic County,
said. “Many of them are volunteering for local groups
and agencies, advocating for causes and community concerns
and giving generously through their annual United Way workplace
campaign.”
Another organization that benefited recently
from SJI employee volunteer efforts is the FoodBank of New
Jersey. SJI employee volunteers partnered with the Volunteer
Center of Gloucester County, which organized several community-based
food drives after learning that the organization was in desperate
need of food for the holidays. SJI employees coordinated
a six-week-long food drive that drew donations from all ten
of the company’s
locations. As a result of the food drive, the SJI family
contributed more than 650 pounds of food, the largest single
donation from any source.
“Thanks to the generosity of our community, including
South Jersey Industries and its employees, the Volunteer
Center of Gloucester County delivered more than three and
a half tons of food and turkeys to the FoodBank and other
food outlets, providing meals to more than 2,500 New Jersey
residents,” Sue Dixon, executive director of the Volunteer
Center of Gloucester County, said.
SJI was also a proud sponsor of the Angel Tree
program, where children, ranging from infants to teenagers
provide a “wish list” of toys and other gifts
they want this holiday season. SJI employees bought toys,
clothes, books and other gifts for 50 disadvantaged children
throughout southern New Jersey, many of whom live in homeless
shelters.
“Many of our employees sponsored more than one child,
and the children received nearly every gift on their wish
list in many cases,” said Jacqui Tate, the coordinator
for South Jersey Industries’ Angel Tree program. “Too
often, the gifts given through the Angel Tree program are
the only gifts these children receive.”
South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) is an energy
services holding company for utility and non-regulated businesses. A
member of the KLD Global Climate 100 Index, SJI offers solutions
to global warming through renewable energy, clean technology
and efficiency. South Jersey Gas, one of the fastest
growing natural gas utilities in the nation, strongly advocates
the efficient use of energy while safely and reliably delivering
natural gas in southern New Jersey. South Jersey Energy Solutions,
the parent of SJI’s non-regulated businesses, provides
innovative, environmentally friendly energy solutions that
help customers control energy costs. South Jersey Energy
acquires and markets natural gas and electricity for retail
customers and offers energy-related services. Marina Energy
develops and operates energy projects including thermal facilities
serving hot and chilled water for casinos, cogeneration facilities
and landfill gas-to-electricity facilities. South
Jersey Resources Group provides wholesale commodity marketing
and risk management services. South Jersey Energy
Service Plus installs, maintains and services heating, air
conditioning and water heating systems, services appliances,
installs solar systems and performs energy audits. For more
information about SJI and its subsidiaries, visit http://www.sjindustries.com.
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