Virginia Natural Gas provides warmer days for children with new winter coat donations
Energy company partners with Operation Warm to donate 200 coats to needy children in Virginia
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Dec. 7, 2020 – With the temperatures falling, it’s a tough reality that for many children across Hampton Roads, a warm winter coat is a luxury their family can’t afford. That’s why this fall, more than 200 children from low-income families will receive brand-new free winter coats courtesy of Virginia Natural Gas (VNG).
Under clear skies and cool temperatures, volunteers from VNG recently delivered full boxes of winter coats to the Rosemont Boys & Girls Club in Virginia Beach. The local energy company has partnered with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing warmth, confidence and hope for children in need through the gift of brand-new coats. Founded in 1998, Operation Warm and its partners have provided over 3.5 million coats across North America.
“Thanks to our partnership with Operation Warm, hundreds of children will receive coats and be prepared for the upcoming winter, which is especially important this year when more families than ever are in need,” said Ken Magee, VNG Community Affairs manager. “We are proud to be part of this initiative that makes a big impact on our community. For many of these children, this is the first time they have received a new coat.”
Watching the delivery of boxes of coats from a side room, the sound of muffled giggles behind masks filled the room as children waited in anticipation for the chance to receive a special gift.
Peeking around the corner, each one looked at the stack of boxes loaded on the tables and waited patiently to be called forward. The only question asked? “What color would you like?”
For 10-year old Laila, the choice was easy. Blue, as she tightly hugged her new winter coat. For the first time, the fourth grader had a brand-new coat and was ready for winter.
“This is so cozy and warm,” she said. “This is good and fluffy and now when I go outside to play, I won’t be cold.”
According to Kevin Will, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia, investing in the children in our community is one of the most important things they do as an agency and especially important this holiday season.
“We couldn’t do this without the help of Virginia Natural Gas,” said Will. “Not all parents are working during this pandemic and VNG has helped alleviate some of the financial burdens. With this donation, kids will have a warm winter jacket and parents can breathe a little easier.”
Eight-year-old Jeremiah couldn’t stop thanking the staff and Virginia Natural Gas after receiving his new coat in his favorite colors…orange and blue.
“This coat makes me feel so good and warm,” said Jeremiah, showing off his coat to everyone around him. “They (VNG) showed me so much love and this coat makes me feel so good.”
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Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Virginia Natural Gas provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service to more than 300,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in southeast Virginia. Consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the company also has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association for its safety, innovation, environmental stewardship, community outreach and educational programs, and has been named Local Distribution Company of the year four times since 2015. The company has been ranked by its business customers as one of the most Trusted Business Partners in the utility industry according to Cogent Reports, and as one of the Top Workplaces in Hampton Roads by Inside Business. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values.
Media Contact:
Rick DelaHaya
o: 757.616.7510 | c: 757.323.7366 | rdelahay@southernco.com
