TXU employee volunteers spend thousands of hours on community projects.
In addition to financial assistance for customers, investment in energy efficiency and education, and support of economic development, TXU contributed more than $8 million in 2005 to support United Way's health and welfare programs, other wide-ranging community events, and institutions of higher learning. TXU also gives back to its communities through the unselfish efforts and dedication of employees and their generous volunteerism.
United Way
TXU's longstanding support of United Way has been especially energized the last two years. In 2005, TXU's United Way/TXU Energy Aid "Be a Star" campaign gained the participation of 3,600 employees, generating a total contribution of almost $1.9 million. This generosity increased TXU's overall campaign funding by almost 22 percent and employee participation by 5.5 percent versus 2004, which itself was an award-winning year. Membership in the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, which is made up of givers of $10,000 or more, increased 73 percent over 2004's unprecedented participation. These outstanding results earned John Wilder CEO of the Year honors from United Way of Dallas.
VOLUNTEERISM
TXU employees devoted about 20,000 hours of community service in 2005 in efforts like these:
- The Multiple Sclerosis Walk, Math-Counts program, Science Place Discovery Fest, March of Dimes-Walk America, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Alzheimer's Walk, State Fair Chili Cook-off, Angel Tree programs, the Dallas Arboretum, and science fair competitions.
- The MS 150 bike tour in which 40 TXU riders rode about 36 hours each to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- The second-annual Weather-Wise Community Outreach program in which over 400 employees weatherized 14 homes.
- Tree planting at the TXU Urban Tree Farm at Richland College, in cooperation with the Texas Trees Foundation. In 2005, some 100 TXU volunteers helped plant 9,500 seedlings for planting in public areas.
- Safety demonstrations at the State Fair of Texas. Each Monday of the fair, TXU presented six daily demonstrations that taught kids and adults about safety in and around the house. Zigster, TXU's safety mascot, was present to show off his new video and delight the kids.
- Senior Day at the Fort Worth Stock Show, sponsored by TXU, to promote home energy efficiency. Senior citizens received free admission to the show, and TXU sponsored presentations by local homeimprovement specialists.
- Leadership Ventures, an educational program TXU sponsors with the Lower Colorado River Authority that targets future leaders with diverse topics that include ethics, financial literacy, and life skills insight. Student leaders from FFA, 4-H, DECA, Team Skills USA, and other vocational organizations attended.
- Operation Installation, a partnership with the American Red Cross to enlist volunteers to install fire detectors in low-income homes.
- Adopt a Highway in Lancaster to help keep clean a major section of highway.
