The FirstEnergy Foundation is spreading holiday goodwill in New Jersey by awarding two surprise “Gifts of the Season” grants totaling $20,000 to local nonprofit organizations serving communities within the Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) service area.
The grants, part of a $100,000 total distribution across five states, were awarded to a food pantry addressing hunger and a medical center expanding vital safety education.
A $10,000 grant was awarded to Our Lady of Victories Church St. Vincent De Paul Society Food Pantry in Sayreville (Middlesex County). This funding is specifically earmarked to provide essential proteins and dairy products for the 200 people the pantry supports monthly. Demand often swells during the holidays, with the pantry serving over 300 individuals during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
The second $10,000 grant went to The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston (Essex County). The funds will be used to expand burn prevention education and fire safety programming throughout central and northern New Jersey. The Burn Center’s programs have already educated over 13,000 people this year, including many JCP&L linemen.
Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s President, New Jersey, emphasized the importance of the grants during the festive season. “Supporting organizations that strengthen our communities is a year-round commitment, but even more important during the holiday season when the needs of individuals and families can be especially great,” Mokoid said. “These grants help local nonprofits respond to urgent needs and build safer, healthier communities by giving families access to essential services and important safety education.”
The “Gifts of the Season” program is now celebrating its 10th year of impact and inclusion. Since its inception in 2016, the FirstEnergy Foundation has provided a total of $1.2 million in grants through this program to support local nonprofits and community initiatives.
JCP&L serves 1.2 million customers across 13 New Jersey counties, including Burlington, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Morris and Somerset.
