Bike, doll, books, games, toys …
This may look like the typical wish list for any kid during the holidays but for hundreds of children and families, this wish list would be just a dream without the generosity of employees at Duke Energy’s nuclear power plants.
Hundreds of bikes, toys, games and shoes, along with needed clothing and food were donated this year to help spread a little holiday cheer. More than 1,000 children received gifts, all donated by workers at Duke’s seven nuclear plants.
Take a look at how employees in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida shared the holiday spirit in their local communities:
Employees at the Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, S.C., purchased more than 150 items as part of their Giving Tree drive and donated more than 1,000 boxes of cereal and macaroni and cheese to the C150arolina Kids Hunger Buster program.
At the Oconee Nuclear Station near Seneca, S.C., another 250 children had their wishes fulfilled when employees collected almost $30,000 worth of toys for the Angel Tree program.
Catawba Nuclear Station employees loaded a large truck with bikes, clothes and toys for 20 foster children with the York County Department of Social Services. An additional 150 toys and more than $1,000 were collected for Toys for Happiness.
The giving continued in Florida where employees of the Crystal River Nuclear Plant teamed up with their fossil unit teammates at the Crystal River Energy Complex for the Holiday Hope program. They delivered a truckload of toys and other gifts to the Citrus County Family Resource Center, reaching 185 children ranging from newborn to 18 years. They didn’t stop there, donating nearly 200 pounds of food to the Daystar Life Center, a local nonprofit food bank.
In North Carolina, employees of the McGuire Nuclear Station, near Charlotte, donated 160 bikes and hundreds of toys during their annual Toys for Tots drive. Nearly 100 coats were given to the Crisis Assistance Ministry, to be distributed to men, women and children through the organization’s “Free Store.”
At the Brunswick Nuclear Plant, near Southport, N.C., employees presented Brunwick County Toys for Tots with more than 100 toys and more than $3,600 in donations. Members of the plant's security team also supported Toys for Tots by participating in Toy Rides in nearby Wilmington and Shalotte.
For the 13th straight year, employees of the Harris Nuclear Plant, near New Hill, N.C., identified and fulfilled the wish lists of 10 families from the nearby Moncure School, ranging from basic necessities like clothing, shoes and jackets, to popular toys, music, bikes and games.
Giving and sharing the spirit of the holidays is a tradition that has been honored at Duke’s nuclear power plants for years and will continue for many to come.
December 24, 2013