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Constellation Energy's 2008 United Way Extreme Makeover Challenge Benefits Salvation Army's Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club
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Released 12 September 2008
Constellation Energy's 2008 United Way Extreme Makeover Challenge
Benefits Salvation Army's Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club
When the ribbon is cut to rededicate the Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club
on Friday, the Center will have undergone a major transformation...far greater
than anyone could have envisioned just two weeks ago. The Center, which serves
as a safe haven for 50-60 local children daily, was selected by employees of
Constellation Energy and its subsidiary, BGE, to benefit from their annual
Extreme Makeover Challenge, which kicks off Constellation Energy's United Way
campaign.
More than 125 volunteers representing Constellation Energy and its
affiliates have dedicated more than 3,600 hours, not to mention sweat equity,
to reinvigorate and transform the Salvation Army's busiest local Boys and Girls
Club.
"We know how much the Salvation Army and local Boys and Girls Clubs
have given back to their communities, offering life support and safe areas to
at-risk children and families throughout the years," said Beth S. Perlman,
chief administrative officer for Constellation Energy and the company's 2008
United Way Chair. "This project represents Constellation Energy's proud
tradition of helping those who need it most, and clearly demonstrates our
unwavering commitment to both the United Way and the communities in which we
live and work.
The effort will be showcased by a ribbon cutting and re-dedication of the
Center, beginning at 4 PM on Friday, Sept. 12, with entertainment provided by
the Boys and Girls Club's children's choir.
"We were thrilled when we got the call from Constellation Energy that
they wanted to help improve our site," said Deborah Tyson, director of the
Franklin Square Boys and
Constellation Energy and Franklin Square
Girls Club. "And when they reviewed their plans and told me about some of
their suggested changes, I became even more excited. But seeing this remarkable
transformation, and realizing the commitment these volunteers and Constellation
Energy has made, has just overwhelmed me. I can't wait for the children
to see it!"
Eight teams of eight individuals from several business groups within
Constellation Energy competed to make a difference in the lives of
Baltimore's less fortunate through this effort at the Franklin Square Boys and
Girls Club. Constellation Energy provided each group with a budget of $1,500,
with the challenge to do whatever needed to be done to improve the Club. The
groups were tasked with identifying local businesses to donate additional
material, services, and supplies needed to complete their challenge.
In less than two weeks, volunteer teams planned, gathered supplies,
identified numerous community supporters willing to donate supplies and
equipment, and worked to make needed repairs and upgrades to the Club. The
teams have replaced old and worn equipment and systems, completed demolition
and reconstruction of bathrooms and congregation areas, replaced flooring,
added lighting and safety features, painted throughout the Club, and
contributed services and activities for the kids.
"United Way of Central Maryland is committed to mobilizing and connecting
our valuable community partners whenever possible," said Mark Furst, executive
vice president and chief operating officer of the United Way of Central
Maryland. "We're excited to have played a role in Constellation Energy's
amazing makeover event with the Salvation Army- it's collaborations like these
that truly embody the spirit of ‘living united.'"
Donations of services and material to support this effort came from Budeke's
Paints and Decorating, Inc; CDW; Microsoft Corporation; AES Lighting; IKEA;
Michael's Arts and Crafts; Lowes Home Improvement; Westinghouse; DuraBante,
LLC; Siemens; GE Energy; URS Washington Division; HP Imaging and Printing
Group: Mid-Atlantic Team; Day & Zimmerman Power Services; Liberty Flooring
Services, Inc.; Classic Catering; and, Carefree Maintenance. Special
thanks goes out to Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy and Franklin Square
subsidiaries and departments including: Constellation Energy Projects
& Services, BGE Home, BGE, Constellation Energy corporate headquarters,
Constellation Energy Customer Supply Group, Constellation Energy Power
Generation, Constellation Energy Commodities Group, and Constellation Energy
Nuclear Group.
"Deborah Tyson and her staff at Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club can
provide support and services to a much larger group of youth in this
community," said Major Roger Coulson, who heads the Salvation Army Greater
Baltimore Area Command. "And there is definitely a larger group that still
needs to be served. If we can keep any of these kids off the streets and away
from gangs and other high-risk behavior, then we will be making an impact.
Efforts like this, and support from such wonderful partners like Constellation
Energy, help us to demonstrate to these kids and these communities that they
are not fighting alone and that there are people who care about them and want
to help them."
The Salvation Army's (http://www.tsabaltimore.org) Franklin Square Boys and Girls
Club is located at 215 North Calhoun Street, Baltimore, offering area youth
access to education and career assistance, golf and basketball skills
assistance, Street Smart and Smart Girls programs, and performing arts
activities.
Constellation Energy (http://www.constellation.com), a FORTUNE 125 company with
2007 revenues of $21 billion, is the nation's largest competitive supplier of
electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and the nation's
largest wholesale power seller. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and
energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns
a diversified fleet of 83 generating units located throughout the United
States, totaling approximately 9,000 megawatts of generating capacity. The
company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and
Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland.
# # #
Contact:
Ken Frager, Pinnacle Communications for the
Salvation Army
443-996-7208,443-996-7208, kfrager@pinnacleco.com
Sandra K. Erbe, Constellation Energy Group
Cell: 443.618.2610, Sandra.Erbe@constellation.com
Constellation Energy Media Hotline: 410.470.7433
Elise Lee, United Way of Central Maryland
410-895-5105, Elise.Lee@uwcm.org