Whether time with loved ones or the twinkle of lights, the holidays hold special traditions. For our team, one of those is giving back to the communities we serve. Throughout the year, we are active partners and volunteers, committed to supporting local initiatives and organizations. During the holidays, these opportunities become especially impactful, lasting long into the new year. 

Fort Wayne

Through our partnership with Fort Wayne's Blessings in a Backpack, the AEP Foundation has contributed a grant to support the organization's weekend meal program for qualifying students. Staff at our downtown office also gathered to stuff 600 holiday stockings with warm socks and snacks for local children battling food insecurity.

With donation boxes set up at the Indiana Michigan Power Center and the Baer Field, Spy Run and Northeast Service Centers, our Allen County team filled each box with coats, winter gear and toys to benefit SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) of Fort Wayne. These donations will help to provide a brighter – and warmer – holiday for local children.

Rockport

Rockport employees conducted their Christmas Angel program, "adopting" children attending a local preschool. As a result of the team's efforts, 28 children each received a warm winter coat, hat, gloves, clothing items and toys this holiday. 

South Bend/Elkhart

Staff at the Elkhart service center planned a chili cook-off in December. The group, however, wanted to do more than share the meal together - they wanted to help their community. Together, they helped to collect household items and raise over $900 for families at Elkhart’s Monger Elementary School. 

Suroeste de Michigan

"To collect new, unwrapped toys to distribute to less fortunate kids during the holidays." That is the mission of Toys for Tots and the result of a December collection at the Benton Harbor service center. The items collected will be distributed to qualifying local children.  

Cook

Headed by its Operations Department, staff collected 12 boxes of toys and six bikes to be given to the Wolverine Detachment of the Marine Corps League and distributed throughout Berrien County. 

Marion/Muncie

Volunteers from I&M put in the work to set up the “Holidays at Gresham” display for Meridian Health Services. With help from our team of 40-plus, and a 150' transmission bucket truck, what would commonly be a weeks' worth of work was accomplished in just one day.

To read more on how we are powering the next community initiative, visit the community section of the I&M website.