AEP Ohio Donates $500,000 to United Way Agencies to Help With Health and Housing Needs in Area

Wooster, OH – May 24, 2011- Nearly 50 United Way agencies around Ohio will be able to help more families in need this spring, thanks to donations by AEP Ohio totaling $500,000.  The donations are part of the company’s overall focus on issues around hunger, health and housing through its Partnership with Ohio (PWO) program. 

United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties received $6,560 to help residents of the two-county service area.  Of that total, $5,314 will be awarded to People to People Ministries for residents of Wayne County and $1,246 will be given to the Department of Job and Family Services for use in Holmes County.

“United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties is grateful to have such committed partner in our communities,” said James Carpenter, assistant director, United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties.  “This money will go a long way to help those in need, right here at home.”

AEP Ohio’s PWO program is a three-year, $15 million commitment by the company to help agencies throughout Ohio address issues around hunger, health and housing affecting Ohio residents.  Last year, AEP Ohio committed $1,000,000 to United Way agencies and area food banks, as well as contributed $2.3 million to assist families in need of assistance to pay their electric bills through the AEP Ohio Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, a part of the PWO initiative, which began at the end of 2008.

“Many Ohio families continue to struggle during these challenging times, AEP Ohio established the Partnership with Ohio program to provide meaningful assistance to families in need,” said Joe Hamrock, president and chief operating officer for AEP Ohio.  “Continuing to partner with outstanding community resources like United Way agencies ensures that our contribution will be effective, and will be quickly used to provide assistance for thousands of families throughout the region.”