News Release > Entergy Organizes Employees, Family, Friends to Help Low-Income Neighbors

Entergy Organizes Employees, Family, Friends to Help Low-Income Neighbors

11/15/2010

NEW ORLEANS – Thanksgiving is going to be a little cozier this year for more than 20 families whose homes were recently weatherized or repaired by nearly 300 Entergy Corporation employee volunteers and community partners.

Nine different events were held across Entergy's four-state utility service territory as part of the company's observation of National Weatherization Day and National Make A Difference Week. The events ran between Oct. 21 and Nov. 4. Estimates are Entergy employees volunteered about 1,000 hours, valued at approximately $20,850.

The largest event was in Jackson, Miss., where about 200 Entergy employee and community volunteers helped paint nine Habitat for Humanity homes, weatherize two other homes and distribute about 50 weatherization kits to residents. Entergy also donated 250 more weatherization kits to the Jackson, Miss., chapter of Habitat for Humanity; enrolled local residents in weatherization programs; and provided information on where to find free tax preparation services through the United Way.

"It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun, too," said Liz Brister, an Entergy Mississippi, Inc. volunteer.  "It was a beautiful day to be outside, and all of us were happy to be together and see what a difference a little elbow grease can make."

In Louisiana, teams of employee volunteers weatherized six homes in Metairie, Gramercy and Lake Charles. Another four homes were weatherized in New Orleans.

Entergy Texas, Inc. events had a green tinge, as Entergy helped students at Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas, learn how to reduce their carbon footprints.  More than 130 students attended the event and signed up for the chance to win one of two bicycles, and Entergy volunteers distributed information about the impact of greenhouse gases and how to reduce them. Other events included weatherizing a home in Little Rock, Ark. with Central Arkansas Community Development and participating in the Golden Triangle Heart Walk to support the American Heart Association in Beaumont, Texas.  

"It's extremely gratifying to know not just Entergy employees care about the communities we serve but so do their family and friends," said Linda Barnes, manager of low-income customer assistance at Entergy.  "Being able to meet and help our customers – many of whom may be our next-door neighbors – is our company's goal, and events like painting new homes for Habitat for Humanity or participating in a walk to benefit the American Heart Association help us achieve it every day."

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.  Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.  Entergy has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and over 15,000 employees.

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Entergy's online address is entergy.com