Making a Difference in Communities Where We Live, Work and Play

LS Power’s Missouri office strives to make a positive impact within the communities where our staff live, work and play. Our charitable giving program in 2024 reflects our efforts to support those in need in key areas connected to LS Power’s business. This year, we donated $10,000 in funds and more than 80 hours in volunteer time to several non-profit organizations, including:

Scholarship

We provided two $1000 scholarships to engineering students at Missouri S&T, the state’s premier public university for STEM careers. Students earned the scholarships based on academic merit and their study of engineering, as determined by the university.

“We are proud to support our scholarship recipients in their pursuit of a career in engineering,” said Paul Thessen, president of LS Power. “Over the coming year, LS Power will also offer students the opportunity to visit our offices to learn more about the engineering profession and to network in the field.”

Food Insecurity

We also gave a $2000 donation of food and funds to Parkway Pantry Partners, an organization that provides food and nutrition assistance to those in need across the local school district.

Our donations were particularly useful in preparing for the holiday season. We helped provide Thanksgiving Food Boxes, ensuring that families enjoyed a warm and festive meal, in addition to Winter Break Holiday Boxes, which provide essential food to families during the school break when children may not have access to school meals.

Tracey Miller, senior administrative assistant at LS Power, reflected on the experience of delivering the donation: “The experience was very rewarding. It feels good to give back especially when you’ve been on the receiving end of those types of services. If it weren’t for places like this, I would have gone hungry many nights and although it was a long time ago, that never leaves you.”

Utility Payment Assistance

In addition, we contributed $1300 to provide utility payment assistance through an organization called Loaves and Fishes for St. Louis, a food pantry and emergency homeless shelter for families with minor children. Serving close to 15,000 people annually, this organization provides classes, financial education, counseling, housing readiness, employment programs, and food security, among other services.

Loaves and Fishes Chief Executive Officer Jacki MacIntosh shared with us: “Recognizing the critical need for energy assistance, our partnership with LS Power has enabled us to provide essential resources to over 40 families, ensuring their homes remain safe and secure. The rising demand for utility assistance underscores the importance of our efforts, and we are immensely grateful to LS Power for their perceptiveness and commitment to addressing this pressing issue. Their support has been instrumental in transforming the lives of those who seek our assistance, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to them for their invaluable contribution.”

Environmental Initiatives

At LS Power, we believe in the importance of preserving and enhancing the environment where we live, work, and play. Our volunteer events, like the spring-cleaning event held in March and another clean-up event held in October in coordination with our company’s Office Environmental Impact Team, as well as our charitable donation to support the St. Louis County Parks Foundation demonstrate the Missouri office’s commitment to maintaining a clean environment for everyone to enjoy.

Women’s Support

Supporting women’s initiatives is another focus of LS Power’s charitable giving program. We target organizations on the front lines of helping women and children, such as The Covering House, whose mission is to provide community services, prevention programs and residential services to stop child trafficking in the St. Louis region. In collaboration with our corporate EmPOWERing Women’s employee resource group, we provided funds, in-kind donations and volunteer hours to sponsor the most vulnerable in our society, offering support needed to rebuild their lives.

Employee-Driven Giving

As importantly, our employees in the Missouri office play a pivotal role in driving our charitable initiatives. From supporting people affected by cancer to promoting local education and raising funds for an animal shelter, our giving is a testament to the compassion and generosity of our team members. These efforts are not just about monetary contributions but also about volunteering time to make a real difference. Whether it’s participating in fundraisers or offering hands-on help in various capacities, our employees’ commitment to giving back is inspiring.

A Wrap On 2024

Angi Hughes, manager of LS Power’s Missouri office and the administrator of our office charitable giving program, noted: “LS Power’s community engagement program is a good example of how companies can benefit local communities. Through our funding of selected programs, we have been able to address critical needs, support vulnerable populations, and foster a spirit of volunteerism and generosity among our employees. We are proud of the impact we have made.”