Pa. American Water sponsoring ‘Community Investment Challenge’
Pennsylvania American Water announced the “Community Investment Challenge” last week, a contest that will enable the public to help determine grant awards to support environmental projects and community improvement programs.
To be eligible, organizations must submit projects that will take place within Pennsylvania American Water’s service areas in 2014. The top three projects receiving the most votes on the water company’s Facebook contest page will receive awards of $1,000 (first-place), $700 (second-place) and $300 (third place), a company press release said.
Projects planned for 2014 in Pennsylvania American Water’s service areas must fit the following criteria:
Water and the Environment: Innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and communities’ surface and groundwater.
Water and Healthy Living: Efforts that contribute to healthy communities by promoting safe water and sanitation, educating the public on the health benefits of water and encouraging good hygiene practices.
Environmental Education: Educational programs that provide information about water conservation, water and wastewater treatment, the water cycle, watershed protection and the environment.
Community Sustainability: Projects that meet a definitive, sustainable community need, preferably aligned with the company’s core business, and enrich the lives of the residents who live and work in communities served by Pennsylvania American Water.
“We hope to engage civic, non-profit, environmental and educational groups that are planning innovative and meaningful projects to enhance the communities we serve,” said Pennsylvania American Water Director of Communications and External Affairs Terry M. Maenza. “By mobilizing voters through their social networks, the organizations could earn grant money to help support those projects.”
