Entergy Arkansas volunteers on track to meet or exceed 25,000 hours

News Release > Entergy Arkansas volunteers on track to meet or exceed 25,000 hours

Entergy Arkansas volunteers on track to meet or exceed 25,000 hours

08/28/2024

Grant dollars awarded total nearly $500,000 so far in '24

The day-to-day business at Entergy Arkansas is to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our customers. The mission as a corporation is to continually improve the communities served through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.

Across the company, those efforts are focused primarily on the broad pillars of poverty solutions, education and workforce development, and environmental programs. Additionally, the areas of healthy families, arts and culture, and community enrichment are part of the overall strategy to contribute to a society that is healthy, educated, environmentally safe and productive.

"As a corporation, Entergy Arkansas invests in solutions and partners with nonprofits, schools and government organizations to provide opportunities and programs that create sustainable value and quality of life," said Brandi Hinkle with Entergy Arkansas Corporate Social Responsibility. "Our employees do this each day as well, giving of their time and resources to help those who are disadvantaged, as well as the elderly and disabled."

To qualify for volunteer service and grants from the company, organizations must be:

• A public charity or private foundation that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.
• A state or local government, but only if the volunteer service/donation thereto benefits the public at large.
• A school, hospital, or religious institution that holds nonprofit status similar to that of 501(c)(3) organizations, but only if the volunteer service/donation thereto benefits the public at large.
• Certain tax-exempt war-veterans' organizations, domestic fraternal societies and volunteer fire departments.

The company has awarded nearly $500,000 in shareholder profit and donations to scores of nonprofit partners in Arkansas during the better part of the year. Programs funded range from emergency response and relief services to scholarships and youth services, food pantries and community safety events. Entergy Arkansas employees clocked 29,000 volunteer hours in 2023 based on a goal of 25,000 and hope to meet or exceed that number this year.

Focusing on literacy and education

A few of the largest endeavors so far this year included education and literacy projects, including a statewide partnership with the Arkansas STEM Coalition. In preparation for the April 8 total solar eclipse, Entergy Arkansas partnered with the Coalition to purchase and distribute free eclipse glasses to all public schools in our service territory. A grant from Entergy Arkansas helped fund the purchase of more than 625,000 pairs of eclipse glasses, enough for all preK-12 students, teachers and staff. Volunteers from the STEM Coalition, Entergy Arkansas and other groups worked for more than six weeks to sort and deliver the glasses.

The company also partnered with the Women's Foundation of Arkansas for the Girls of Promise "Full STEAM Ahead" conference, which introduced 8th grade girls across the state to potential STEAM careers. Nearly 150 girls from 20 counties were able to meet women leaders in the fields of engineering, finance and more. The goal is to increase the number of girls in higher-level STEAM courses and careers to put them on the path to achieving economic security as adults.

Other literacy, education and workforce program recipients included:

• American Association of Blacks in Energy - Careers in Energy Student Summit
• Food Jobs Work Foundation - Culinary Training Program
• Junior Achievement of Little Rock
• Oscar J. Washington Scholarship Fund
• North Arkansas College Foundation
• Searcy Foundation for the Future
• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
• West Memphis Boys and Girls Club

Attacking root causes of poverty

Research shows the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one the nation's most effective means of lifting Americans out of poverty. IRS-certified volunteers with Entergy Arkansas and other nonprofit partners provided free tax return preparation for qualified customers as part of the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and other services at Super Tax Day events throughout tax season. Partners across the state included Arkansas Asset Funders, Central Arkansas Development Council, Forrest City Public Library and Southern Bancorp, who provided trained volunteers to help customers determine if they were eligible for EITC and other tax credits to maximize their refunds.

Supporting the arts, culture

By cultivating creativity, Entergy Arkansas helps create a community of inclusion and inspiration. For many years, the company has supported The Repertory Theatre's regular season as well as student workshops, along with the Arkansas Fine Arts Museum, both of which have Entergy Arkansas employee on the respective boards of directors. A longtime partnership with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra also provides for free tickets for all students. Other organizations and programs supported this year include:

• Arkansas Cinema Society
• Arkansas Committee Of The National Museum Of Women In The Arts
• Cross County Foundation - Downtown Arts Festival
• Friends Of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center - Juneteenth in Da Rock
• Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation - Cherry Blossom Festival
• Sculpture in the River Market

For more information about how to apply for grants or create volunteer opportunities for Entergy Arkansas employees, visit www.entergy.com/csr/giving/.

"We're proud to say that every dollar and employee volunteer hour makes a difference in achieving our goals to improve the places where we work and live," Hinkle said, "and we're always looking for new ways to engage our employees and customers."

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

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