WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3, 2018) – Exelon and Pepco today announced that they are donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region to support its emergency assistance for those affected by Winter Storm Riley.
"We greatly value our partnership with the Red Cross and the tireless work it does to help meet the basic needs of those affected by disasters such as this weekend’s storm,” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings. “It is important we support the Red Cross wherever possible.”
Pepco and the Red Cross work together to ensure that residents, businesses and travelers in our region are prepared for and recover from disasters as safely and quickly as possible. After an event such as this weekend’s storm, the American Red Cross provides immediate emergency assistance to those affected.
“We at the Red Cross appreciate the continued support from Exelon and Pepco,” said Linda Mathes, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region. “Through your financial contribution, you directly help with the lifesaving work we are able to provide disaster victims.”
As of Saturday morning, the severe winter storm's strong winds had brought down trees and power lines from North Carolina to Maine and knocked out power to more than 2.1 million homes and businesses. Maryland declared a state of emergency after high winds from a fierce windstorm left hundreds of thousands of residents without power and caused a partial building collapse, which the American Red Cross responded to by opening a shelter and providing assistance to those affected. Pepco crews working around the clock have restored more than 400,000 customer outages since the beginning of the storm.
In the District of Columbia, the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region volunteer and staff team have been responding throughout the region to at least 30 separate disaster incidents impacting 280 families.
The Red Cross opened a shelter overnight in Suitland, Md, in partnership with Prince George’s County government for people evacuated from several apartment complexes that have lost power and will keep it open through the weekend as a disaster resource center for the community. The Red Cross has activated a number of disaster volunteers and will continue to respond to disasters from this storm.
For assistance from the Red Cross or more information about Red Cross services, please go to www.redcross.org
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About Pepco: Pepco, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 842,000 electric delivery customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.