As the American Red Cross’s ongoing partnership with Unitil Corporation enters into its second year, both organizations have re-committed to working together to enhance their respective commitments to emergency response. Unitil is a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers throughout New England.
“We have only scratched the surface of what this relationship can be,” Carol Valianti, Unitil’s vice president of communications and public affairs, said. “Unitil cares deeply about the well being of our customers, as they are also our neighbors. Together with the American Red Cross, we hope to set a new standard in safety awareness for our communities in 2012.”
This ongoing partnership, launched in 2011 involves close collaboration between both the ARC and Unitil on an ongoing basis. The partnership includes several educational, community development and volunteer opportunities—all intended to positively impact Unitil and ARC employees, as well as volunteers and members of the communities they serve. The ongoing partnership initiatives will focus specifically within Unitil’s territories, which include New Hampshire, Maine and North Central Massachusetts.
“Unitil is a corporate leader in social responsibility through their work with the ARC in three states and in our local communities,” said ARC NH CEO, Maria White. “We appreciate their help in supporting the American Red Cross mission by helping communities prepare, prevent and respond to emergencies.”
Some key areas of collaboration for 2012 include:
Community Outreach:
- Unitil and the Red Cross will continue to prepare joint public service announcements (PSAs) about power outage preparedness, downed wire safety and emergency readiness.
- With access to Unitil at a level on par with first responders, the Red Cross is equipped to determine whether shelters are needed and where and when they should open.
Training:
- As it did in 2011, Unitil will provide on-site power restoration and downed wire safety training to Red Cross volunteers to ensure their safety as first responders in an emergency.
- Likewise, Unitil employees receive additional disaster preparedness training for situations at home and at work from the Red Cross, as well as Adult CPR/AED and First Aid training.
Volunteer opportunities:
- Unitil employees will continue to be encouraged to support various volunteer efforts and projects at the Red Cross’s New Hampshire, Maine and North Central Massachusetts offices and in local communities on an ongoing basis.
Heroes Breakfast:
- As it did last year, Unitil will continue to serve as a prominent sponsor of these signature events during which the American Red Cross honors local heroes who have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character through their acts of heroism in the communities served by their local chapter.
ARC Campaign Support:
- Unitil customers will have a chance to make a difference, too. Unitil will continue to support all Red Cross outreach efforts throughout the year, from blood drives to volunteering opportunities to the Red Cross’s annual holiday campaign. Unitil supports the Red Cross’s biggest annual campaign by including informational “buck slips” in correspondence to its 170,000 gas and electriccustomers in the region. Customers will be invited to visit the ARC website to purchase a needed item that can help someone in times of disaster.
