’Tis the season of giving, and Duke Energy’s nuclear teammates in South Carolina and North Carolina are always finding rewarding and creative ways to give to their local communities.
South Carolina
At Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) in Seneca, S.C., the Women in Nuclear (WiN) organization held its annual Salvation Army Angel Tree drive, which is always a favorite among ONS employees. This year, ONS employees set a record for the site by sponsoring 400 children – 250 children were sponsored in 2013. WiN also collected 350 gently used coats this fall from ONS employees that were distributed to Our Daily Rest, Safe Harbor and Helping Hands for the cold, winter months.
Catawba Nuclear Station teammates donated hundreds of toys and more than $2,000 to Toys for Happiness. Toys for Happiness provides Christmas presents to underprivileged children in York County. Roughly 20 volunteers came out Friday, Dec. 12 to load and deliver these toys to the Toys for Happiness warehouse.
At Robinson Nuclear Plant (RNP) in Darlington County, more than 100 coats and 50 pairs of gloves were donated as part of RNP’s winter coat drive. Engineering Manager Sonja Meyers spearheads this effort and hand-made more than 20 coats for at-risk children. The team also donated 250 turkeys to local charities, food pantries and churches as part of the plant’s annual turkey giveaway. Robinson employees each receive a free turkey in November, but have the option to pay it forward and give their turkey to charity. RNP then matches a portion of the employee turkey donations. Additionally, employees participated in a food drive for the Carolina Kids Hunger Buster program, which brought in 1,200 boxes of cereal, macaroni and cheese and jars of peanut butter. RNP also participated in the Giving Tree program, similar to Toys for Happiness and the Salvation Army Angel Tree programs.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, Brunswick Nuclear Plant (BNP) recently collected $27,010 for their bike drive, which will provide 273 less fortunate children at schools in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender and Columbus county schools bikes and helmets this Christmas. BNP raised more money than needed, so the remainder will go to purchase additional bikes and helmets for Toys for Tots.
At McGuire Nuclear Station (MNS) in Mecklenburg County, employees donated 150 winter items, including coats, hats, scarves and gloves that will help children at Oakdale Elementary School this winter. In addition, the MNS team donated nearly $18,000 to Toys for Tots and brought in 30 bags of toys and 197 bikes.
Finally, Harris Nuclear Plant (HNP) and its Employee Activities Committee has sponsored Wish Upon a Star for more than 20 years – the site, near Raleigh, collects cash and gifts for 10 local families. Last year, HNP employees collected 400 presents and grocery gift cards for families.
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