Putting Purpose into Action
2019
Annual Report
Living out Gas South’s mission to “Be a Fuel for Good”
Our Promise
To give back 5% of our profits to help children in need
At Gas South, our purpose is to “Be a Fuel for Good.” That means helping our customers save money with great low rates and no deposit. It means investing in our employees and supporting their career growth. It’s about making sure our success directly benefits our community by giving our time, talents, and 5% of our profits to help children in need. It also means elevating our industry by striving to make natural gas service affordable and widely available in the markets we serve. Through volunteerism, charity partnerships, and ongoing financial support, you’ll see we’re helping people in our community fulfill their potential with the hopes that one day, they’ll join us in being a fuel for good. Your continued loyalty makes all the difference.
Kevin Greiner President & CEO Gas South
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Why Children? Gas South believes our communities are the strongest when all children are well and have opportunities to reach their full potential. This involves helping families build strong foundations, supporting their basic needs, and providing positive pathways for kids by focusing on: • Programs that serve children ages 0 to 21 • Partnerships with organizations to supply food, clothing, and shelter to families • Creating sustainable success through education and career pathways • Giving hope to kids who suffer from chronic or terminal illnesses
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Business Year 2020 Recap (April 2019 – March 2020)
Gas South increased our yearly financial contribution by 6%, with a total of $909,079 donated to help children in need. This translated to a personal impact of approximately 82,905 youth across Georgia. Gas South also increased our employee impact. We had 135 employees volunteer, with over 1,100 hours logged individually, through participation in 23 separate events. Our employees are focused on doing the right things and putting people first. That’s the way Gas South makes a difference!
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A Look at the Numbers
Fueling good with our financial commitment
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Caring for our Community
through ongoing contributions. Contributions April 2019 – March 2020 Contributions increased 6% from last year Basic Needs = $383,259.91
Total = $909,079
Education = $328,394.93 Illness/Disability = $174,256.03 Other = $23,168.94 *Other includes in-kind donations and volunteer events
Impacted approximately 82,905 youth 2019 Annual Report – 6
Creating a great place to work through employee engagement Volunteerism
(April 2019 – March 2020) Total Number Employees
Total Hours
Total Events
135
1194
23
Employees Volunteered 7 – Gas South
Hours Logged
Volunteer Events Coordinated
Volunteer Highlights • Dental care for 800 elementary school students • Summer lunches for over 1,000 children • Literacy Week support for over 24,000 students in 41 schools • STEM education via Science Olympiads for over 7,000 students • Education for over 100 students at the YMCA Gas South STEAM lab • Diapers for one month for over 90 babies • Blankets for 100 homeless children • Educational programming for 5 weeks for youth experiencing homelessness • Feminine hygiene kits for over 1,000 girls in need • Daycare for children of 33 single mothers in college
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The Difference Maker Award The Gas South Difference Maker is an annual peer-to-peer award recognizing an employee who is living out our purpose to “Be A Fuel for Good” every day – inside and outside the office. Nominated employees must: • Efficiently execute the responsibilities of his/her position and go above and beyond normal job requirements to care for others. • Work positively, respectfully, and effectively with colleagues, customers, and industry partners • Demonstrate excellence in volunteerism or community service, and consistently contribute their time to voluntary work • Encourage peers to band together and get involved in the community
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Cynthia Ocasio, Operations Specialist Cynthia Ocasio was awarded the 2019 Difference Maker award for exemplifying what it means to “Be a Fuel for Good.” Cynthia was inspired by a company volunteer event called the “Period Project”. Recognizing a need for feminine hygiene products amongst the female homeless community, Cynthia hosted her own “Period Project” and was able to raise funds and organize volunteers to collect and pack over 200 feminine hygiene packages. When asked about how she feels about volunteering and giving back, Cynthia quotes Audrey Hepburn. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” “Cynthia is always volunteering – even on her own time. She collects clothing and other items through the “Period Project” for women in need and she doesn’t do it alone – Cynthia also gets her colleagues excited about giving to charities.” – Gas South Colleague At Gas South, Cynthia is one of many difference makers. We choose to “Be a Fuel for Good” because putting people first is the right thing to do.
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Employees Making A Difference I don’t take for granted the time my parents invested into shaping me and ensuring my success. I wish that all kids would have a similar support system. But, in a lot of cases, that support comes from the community and schools. It’s my honor to serve the students of Osborne High School and the Junior Achievement 3DE Academy. My hope is that with the sacrifice of my time and the contributions of many others we can provide an adequate foundation for these students to thrive in accomplishing their goals and shaping their futures.
Calise Tucker Senior Analyst
As an advisory council member, I was recently given the privilege to read and judge essays for a contest from High School students involved in the Salvation Army Boys and Girls club. It was abundantly clear how our clubs are much more than an after-school program. It’s a community - a family to which they can belong, feel safe, and know they have unconditional support. Each student told a personal story of how the trajectory of their life was changed. I love serving in an organization that makes a significant life-long impact.
Lauren Tuten Senior CX Program Manager
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Impact Investments In our efforts to “Be a Fuel for Good” and to make a significant and distinct difference for several non-profits, we awarded Impact Investments of $50,000 each to six organizations. Non-profit organizations were invited to apply for the funding, and a team of Gas South employees helped narrow down the entries. Finalists then showcased their efforts at Gas South’s United Way Kickoff event,where Gas South employees selected the following non-profit recipients:
Atlanta Mission
Kate’s Club
Los Niños Primero
Nana Grants
Sunshine on a Ranney Day
Shepherd Center
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Basic Needs Atlanta Mission Atlanta Mission provides basic needs and services to each child that comes for help, including shelter, bedding, meals, shower, basic healthcare, laundry facilities, childcare, after-school and pre-school programming, and other social services. Funding Impact: At a cost of about $30 per day, our October 2019 contribution provided a full day of services for 500 children. Why does it matter? Most of the children who come to the Atlanta Mission have experienced extreme trauma in their lives, from unstable living situations to homelessness. To overcome this challenge, Atlanta Mission has implemented trauma-informed care into all their services. Staff members are trained to emphasize safety, trustworthiness, transparency, peer support, collaboration, and empowerment. Since June 2019, 31 children ended their homelessness and now have safe, self-sufficient living situations with their families.
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Basic Needs Kate’s Club Kate’s Club empowers children facing life after the death of a parent or sibling. Kate’s Club serves children in the greater metro Atlanta area, from five to 18 years old, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver - at no cost to the child’s family. Funding Impact: Originally set aside for Camp Mourning, which was to take place in April 2020, Kate’s Club used Gas South’s contribution to fund several virtual programs created after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why does it matter? Kate’s Club strives to provide therapeutic services that children need to grieve and cope with their loss while also providing fun, recreational activities, which encourage them the be a kid in an environment where their peers are experiencing a similar loss. Since children were unable to meet in person this year, Kate’s Club was able to create online programming and virtual options for over 1,000 children and parents. Programming includes Clubhouse Zooms, adult support groups, family nights, grief education support for teachers, and even a virtual camp experience!
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Education Los Niño’s Primero Los Niño’s Primero prepares underserved Latino pre-school children for educational success by providing opportunities to develop the language, cognitive, social, and motor skills. The program gives lowincome, Latino preschoolers a jump-start on English language skills and academic training, significantly improving academic success and reducing dropout rates. Funding Impact: Funding from Gas South has supported the hiring and training of contractual, Georgia-certified teachers and expanded the Los Niños Primero program to a second location. Why does it matter? Los Niños Primero engages eight educators to teach Saturday School sessions and to lead the twice-weekly early literacy program as part of a year-round academic program. These educators create a welcoming environment that fosters curiosity and consistent progress, directly impacting and supporting the education of children ages 3-6. In addition, the funding from Gas South allowed Los Niños Primero to expand their early literacy program to a second location (Mimosa Elementary School) in Roswell, Georgia. At the Roswell location, Latino parents are also enrolled in a new conversational English class, led by a bilingual, bi-cultural, Georgia-certified teacher. The class has been such a success that the parents have asked to add an additional class to the schedule. 15 – Gas South
Education Nana Grants Nana Grants removes the uncertainty of continuous, quality childcare for student mothers who are enrolled in technical college. Each Nana Grant helps cover the cost of childcare for one year, renewable for the length of the mother’s program of study. Funding Impact: Gas South’s donation afforded 12 individuals an average of $3,700 to cover childcare while they pursued an Associate or Technical degree. Why does it matter? With more than 40% of Georgia’s low-income families headed by a single mother, overcoming poverty through education is limited due to the lack of continuous, quality childcare. Gas South made it possible for twelve women across the state of Georgia to cover childcare costs for one year while they work on their college degrees. Six of these twelve women are set to graduate this year!
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Illness/Disability Shepherd Center Shepherd Center helps people with a temporary or permanent disability caused by injury or disease, rebuild their lives with hope, independence, and dignity. Shepherd’s Adolescent Program treats patients ages 12-21. Funding Impact: Gas South funds were used to purchase an adapted minivan that will provide transportation for more individualized outings to ensure that young patients (as well as the general patient population) can venture out into the community without standing out. Why does it matter? Experiencing life as a teen can feel far from normal even under ideal circumstances, but even more so when you’re a teen recovering from a brain or spinal cord injury. Essential to adolescent patient therapy are community outings that are designed to help patients gain confidence in addressing challenges such as maneuvering a wheelchair in a crowd, navigating curbs and other barriers, managing bathroom issues, and coping with societal stereotypes. These outings are opportunities for young patients to practice the skills they have learned inside the accommodating spaces of Shepherd Center out in the real world. Shepherd learned from adolescent patients that arriving at an event or location in a Shepherd bus can often make them feel even more ostracized from their peers. The funds were used to purchase an adapted minivan for individualized outings to ensure that the young patients (as well as their general patient population) can venture out into the community feeling more confident and with a sense of belonging. 17 – Gas South
Illness/Disability Sunshine on a Ranney Day Sunshine on a Ranney Day renovates homes for children with special needs using top of the line construction and design. Through partnerships and donors, they provide no cost wheelchair accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms and in-home therapy rooms. Funding Impact: Gas South dollars worked to improve multiple children’s lives through renovation of their houses to accommodate their disability needs. Why does it matter? It mattered a lot to Christian, a 17-year old, non-mobile teenager. Thanks to Gas South dollars, Sunshine on a Ranney Day was able to gut his bathroom and create an accessible layout which included a zero-curb shower and roll-up vanity. This makes a considerable difference because Christian’s seizures are unpredictable, and safety was a significant concern when he was bathed.
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Corporate Volunteer Council Impact Award Gas South was recognized for its partnership with Georgia State University’s (GSU) Perimeter College Dental Hygiene Program and Norton Park Elementary. Through this partnership, we provided dental care to 800 students in need – and dental education for their families. Eligible students also received free dental cleanings, sealants and fluoride applications. “The successful collaboration efforts of Gas South, the GSU Dental Hygiene Program and students, Norton Park Elementary School and the Georgia Department of Public Health made a positive impact on one of our more vulnerable communities,” said Pam Cushenan, assistant professor of dental hygiene at GSU. “Over a four-month period, we implemented a parent workshop on oral health, screened 75 children, educated 800 children and provided preventive dental services for all eligible children. All members of our team were able to experience the gratification of making a lasting difference in the lives and welfare of the children and their families.” GSU used the opportunity as a teaching tool for their dental students – pairing first year students with seniors in the program to administer care to the children. Gas South employees volunteered their time to provide bilingual marketing materials for the parents of Norton Park’s students and an employee translated the parent information session – ensuring all questions were answered before their children received the dental services. Employees also volunteered at the dental education event. “It’s great to see how we can have a real impact when we talk to our partners to find out what they and bring together resources to move the needle and make a difference,” said Kevin Greiner, Gas South president and CEO. “We’re honored to receive this prestigious award as we work to improve the lives of children in need in our communities.”
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goBeyondProfit Champion Award Gas South was named the inaugural winner of the goBeyondProfit Champion Award. This honor is given to companies who exhibit exemplary efforts to benefit their community and company by cultivating company culture, deploying company resources and focusing on community empowerment. Gas South was nominated for exhibiting decisive leadership and clear strategy to implement our purpose, “Be a Fuel for Good.” Gas South leadership made a pledge to donate 5% of profits to help children in need and then intentionally empowered employees to execute. We were recognized for our investment and multilayered efforts to tackle underlying barriers to children’s ability to thrive. “Gas South’s journey has been decisive and creative,” explained goBeyondProfit founder Rick Jackson. “We hope it’s inspiring to businesses of all sizes to embrace an idea, infuse associates with its energy, and empower their employees and customers to live it.” Gas South President and CEO Kevin Greiner accepted the honor personally on October 8. “We believe we have an obligation to help those in need to ensure stronger more resilient communities,” Greiner said. “Our pledge to invest 5% of our profits for children in need underscores this commitment and leads to stronger communities. I’ve learned that delivering on a clear purpose articulation is extremely powerful for building a positive company culture so the whole approach translates into a stronger business, too.” Unlike countless awards honoring corporate or individual generosity alone, the goBeyondProfit Champion designation honors companies for community outreach benefitting both the community and their business.
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Thanks to everyone for another great year.
We’re making a difference. Follow along to see how we’re engaging with our community to “Be a Fuel for Good” #BeAFuelForGood