The American Red Cross is recognizing the Avangrid Foundation for its continued support of the Disaster Responder Program. The Avangrid Foundation is an independent organization that funds philanthropic investments in areas where AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a diversified energy company, and its subsidiaries operate. The Foundation is donating $100,000 to the Red Cross for COVID-19 response, complementing its annual Disaster Responder gift of $250,000. The Foundation is committed not only to disaster relief, but also to strengthening community preparedness, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We are incredibly thankful for the longstanding partnership with the Avangrid Foundation,” said Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. “Their additional support allows the Red Cross to continue delivery of our lifesaving mission nationwide amidst the Coronavirus outbreak. As we adapt to meet the new challenges presented by this pandemic, the generosity of the Avangrid Foundation allows the Red Cross to keep providing blood and disaster relief services to people around the U.S. who rely on us when help can’t wait.”
This donation from the Avangrid Foundation will enable the Red Cross to hire and train new phlebotomists and retain others in impacted communities to ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients in need, institute new protocols for disaster workers so that they may safely continue responding to disasters big and small around the country, and much more.
“The Avangrid Foundation has a special relationship with the American Red Cross,” said Robert Kump, president and deputy CEO of AVANGRID, who is a board member at the Avangrid Foundation and also sits on the Red Cross Board of Directors in Connecticut. “In the AVANGRID family of companies, many of our employees work in first-responder roles when natural disaster strikes, and we understand the urgent needs of families and communities, including our own, in these times of crisis. COVID-19 is unique in putting a spotlight on the need for relief in every community and amplifies the critical importance of Red Cross’ services — like ensuring blood supply — which we as a nation and each community rely upon. The Avangrid Foundation is honored to strengthen our partnership with an organization that never fails to be there for us all in the most challenging times.”
In addition to the support the Avangrid Foundation has provided to the Red Cross for COVID-19, the Foundation’s annual support of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program enables the Red Cross to train volunteers and to secure and maintain the shelters, vehicles and supplies necessary for rapid emergency response on all scales. This support for disaster relief also allows Red Cross responders to remain on hand to respond to more than 62,000 disasters each year across the country, including home fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and wildfires. Red Cross services are provided to people in need of assistance, at no cost and regardless of income, through the generosity of Red Cross donors. The Avangrid Foundation has been a Disaster Responder partner to the American Red Cross since 2018.
AVANGRID and its family of companies have a long history of support and partnership with the Red Cross, from local blood drives to regional emergency planning efforts and emergency response.
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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About AVANGRID:
AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $35 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information,visit www.avangrid.com.
About Avangrid Foundation:
The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where AVANGRID, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2002, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $24 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit www.avangridfoundation.org.