Oct 24, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Surprise $100,000 From Reliant Helps Read Fort Worth Improve Literacy Among Third Grade Students

Research shows 75 percent of third graders who struggle with reading never catch up, drastically increasing their chances of dropping out of high school. But one North Texas nonprofit, Read Fort Worth, is on a mission to improve early childhood literacy and ensure all Fort Worth ISD third graders are reading on grade level by 2025. Their efforts got a major boost today when the organization was surprised by Reliant employees with a donation of $100,000 after receiving the most public votes during the Reliant Gives charitable giving program. Camp For All and Undies for Everyone, both based in Houston, were also awarded with donations of $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, based on voting totals.

Reliant’s charitable giving program, Reliant Gives, launched in 2016 and puts the power of nonprofit advocacy in the hands of the public, inviting people to vote and direct the company’s charitable giving to three Texas charities nominated by employees. The program has now donated $850,000 to 21 deserving nonprofits across the state.

“Each round of Reliant Gives feels special knowing we’re able to support causes that are close to our employees’ hearts and rally the public around each nonprofit’s mission,” said Elizabeth Killinger, president, Reliant. “We are excited about the lasting change the gift of reading will make in these children’s lives and the community at large. Congratulations to Read Fort Worth for earning this donation and for making a difference in the community.”

Final Voting Results:

  • $100,000: Read Fort Worth’s mission is to improve early childhood literacy in Fort Worth ISD. Backed by leaders of the community and local businesses, the organization supports volunteer reading programs in area elementary schools, programs to increase student attendance and making quality early learning and preschools more accessible. The Reliant Gives donation will support initiatives that promote children’s literacy, including the Library Classroom Campaign and Reading Volunteers.
  • $20,000: Founded in 1998, Houston-based Camp For All has served 150,000 campers of all ages who, because of an illness or disability, are unable to attend traditional camps. In partnership with 64 other nonprofits, Camp For All allows participants the ability to make friends, grow stronger and build confidence in an environment free of barriers. The Reliant Gives donation will enable campers with challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, HIV, neurofibromatosis, Down syndrome, cancer, missing limbs, sickle cell and spina bifida to grow in self-confidence and realize they are not alone.
  • $10,000: Houston-based Undies for Everyone works with Houston and Dallas-area schools and organizations to distribute new underwear to children in need. Undies for Everyone believes by providing this most basic necessity, children can attend school with confidence, dignity and enhanced self-esteem. The Reliant Gives donation will ensure thousands of deserving children receive clean new underwear.

About Reliant, an NRG company

Reliant powers, protects and simplifies life by bringing electricity, security and related services to homes and businesses across Texas. Serving customers and the community is at the core of what we do, with Reliant being nationally recognized for outstanding customer service and experience. Reliant is part of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), a Fortune 500 company that creates value through best-in-class operations and reliable and efficient electric generation. Backed by a diverse portfolio of power generating facilities, NRG’s competitive residential electricity business, which includes Reliant, is the largest in the country and powers more than 3 million customers across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Reliant, please visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy and Twitter or Instagram @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #10007.