Pacific Gas and Electric Company Employees Reach Out to Those in Need

SAN FRANCISCO - The softened economy and downturn in charitable giving has meant that this year more than ever before, Pacific Gas and Electric Company employees are giving their time and energy to those in need throughout its 70,000 square mile service area.

The company's 18,000 employees are collaborating with a host of non-profit groups, schools, churches and elected officials to reach out to the less fortunate with their time and money.

In Sacramento, Customer Call Center representatives are granting wishes to more than a dozen families by providing food, toys and clothing.

"During a time with so much uncertainty in our world, it makes all of us feel great and very fortunate to be in the position to help where we can," said Call Center Manager Kevin McCoy. Sacramento customer service representatives who have been involved in the Adopt-a-Family program for the past six years say this program and others like it are more important to employees that ever before.

Employees in Concord adopted one needy family, whose plight touched the hearts of the workers. They passed around the "hard hat" - collecting more than $2,000 - to ensure an elderly woman would have basic necessities, including energy. The Concord crew, organized by distribution supervisor Patty McKay, also went to her home making repairs, and enrolling her in the company's CARE program - a program especially tailored for situations like this. In Fresno, employees will warm the hearts of 100 foster kids by providing gifts and clothing to the kids they have dubbed their adopted "angels".

Said Customer Service Representative Martha Bencome, "My little angel's name is Amanda, a 10 year-old foster child. I am very lucky that everyone I know and love is doing relatively well and is healthy and safe. But, that's not the case with all the families in the Central Valley." She says, "I never want to take for granted the gifts I have been given and it makes it very special to me that I can share my good fortune with others in our area."

According to Kim Lytton, director of call center operations, "This year PG&E employees are focused on helping our customers - whether that means keeping them safe in a storm, offering conservation tips, or remembering others who may need our help."

Other examples of outreach efforts this holiday by Pacific Gas and Electric Company employees include:

• Diablo Canyon employees provide gifts for more than 190 children through the Salvation Army's "Secret Santa" program

• Santa Maria employees donate leashes, pet food, bowls and toys for the local Humane Society

• Santa Maria employees collect canned goods for local food bank

• Santa Rosa employees donate gifts through adopted "paper angels" program

• San Francisco California Gas Transmission employees donate nearly 400 books and dozens of coats to the Early Learning Institute in Rohnert Park

• Santa Cruz service center employee adopt a local homeless family

• Capitola employees donate nearly 1,000 pounds of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank