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Donor of the Month: Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy is connected to the communities it serves—not only by its pipes and wires but also through partnerships with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. We are thrilled Xcel Energy continues to be a leader in transitioning to cleaner energy sources, having recently announced it plans to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels. In 2018 alone, the company reduced carbon emissions 38 percent from 2005 levels. Longer term, Xcel Energy’s vision is to serve all customers with zero-carbon electricity by 2050. Way to go!

Locally, the company has supported BBBSC with more than $400,000 in shareholder-funded grants from the Xcel Energy Foundation. Its employees give directly, too, in the form of volunteerism, employee contributions, corporate matching gifts, United Way campaigns, and event sponsorships.

Together, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and Xcel Energy take a collaborative approach to enhance one-to-one mentoring with STEM education and STEM activities.

The company supports the STEM enhancement of our Team Big! Program, providing three to five STEM events throughout the year. We are especially grateful Xcel Energy was the inaugural sponsor of the BBBSC STEM Career Day in 2015 and has remained the event’s lead sponsor.

STEM Day is an opportunity for BBBSC matches to become more exposed to career paths through various hands-on activities, demonstrations, and experiments. Thanks to funding from Xcel Energy this year, more than 40 matches were able to understand energy in their city through building solar cars and driving them on the table with the use of a light; exploring circuit kits and the varieties of circuits; building gumdrop bridges and testing their stability; as well as sparking great teamwork and conversation.

Xcel Energy’s support played a huge role in making this day happen, and we are lucky to have such an excellent partner supporting our matches in different ways!

Additionally, Xcel Energy leaders serve on the Board of Directors. They provide strategic direction and volunteer their time to ensure BBBSC one-to-one mentoring continues to impact children by improving sense of self and future, enhancing relationships, bettering attitudes toward school and academic performance, and helping kids avoid delinquent behavior. Xcel Energy employees also participate in annual agency events including the Big Shots Gala, Topgolf for Kids’ Sake, and the Sanctuary Golf Classic that provide ongoing support of our mentoring programs.

We’d also like to extend special recognition to our Xcel Energy employees who dedicate their time as mentors, board members, and volunteers. Thank you for volunteering your time and energy with BBBSC:

  • Jonathan Adelman, Board of Directors
  • Wes Parham, Associate Board of Directors
  • Ray Huang, Big Brother
  • Mike Finkowski, Big Brother
  • Stephanie Voss, Big Sister
  • Lavinia Fifita, STEM Volunteer
  • Liz Gardner, STEM Volunteer
  • Suzann Kuhns, STEM Volunteer
  • Pamela Mendoza, STEM Volunteer
  • Raymond Mendoza, STEM Volunteer
  • Dan Radulovich, STEM Volunteer
  • Annie Rhoads, STEM Volunteer
  • Marie Vagher, STEM Volunteer
  • Darla Figoli, Event Volunteer
  • Gary Lakey, Event Volunteer

Thank you to Xcel Energy for your continued support of our Community Mentoring and STEM programming. We appreciate all you do for BBBSC and look forward to next year’s STEM Day!

 

 

 

 

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