Energy Neighbor Fund helps families in crisis this holiday season and all year long

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (November 23, 2010) – This holiday season many families in Florida continue to struggle due to the challenging economy and high unemployment. For more than 20 years in Florida, Progress Energy, its customers and employees will help thousands of households in crisis through the company’s Energy Neighbor Fund.

The Energy Neighbor Fund helps low-income individuals and families in crisis cover home energy bills throughout the year, regardless of the fuel source. The Florida program began in 1988, and has provided over $8 million in assistance to families when they need it most.
“The Energy Neighbor Fund provides lifesaving assistance to families in crisis, ensuring they don’t have to suffer without heat, lights or refrigeration,” said Vincent Dolan, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. “In these tough economic times, the Energy Neighbor Fund provides an easy and effective way to provide real help to our neighbors in need.”
Every penny given to the Energy Neighbor Fund goes directly to social service agencies helping those in crisis. The foundation also matches all contributions, dollar for dollar, so each gift has twice the impact. The Progress Energy Foundation provides up to $1 million in matching funds for contributions to the Energy Neighbor Fund from employees, customers, churches and community organizations. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law to those who itemize their taxes.
Progress Energy Florida customers and employees contributed more than $220,000 to the Energy Neighbor Fund last year. With matching funds from the Progress Energy Foundation, a total of more than $440,000 was raised in 2009 to help families in need in Florida.
To donate to the Energy Neighbor Fund, visit www.progress-energy.com/ENF or call 1.877.906.2914. Checks may also be made out to “The Energy Neighbor Fund” and sent to Progress Energy Florida, Attn: Remittance Processing, P. O. Box 33199, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8199.
Customers in crisis should contact Progress Energy customer service at 1.800.700.8744 to be connected to local non-profits supported by the Energy Neighbor Fund.
Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.6 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles, including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Progress Energy Florida is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. For more information about Progress Energy, visit www.progress-energy.com.
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