Dominion Energy launched its annual Good Neighbor Fund Christmas Project across the Midlands this month as employees delivered more than 550 food baskets and hundreds of toys to families facing financial challenges and other hardships this holiday season.
Employee volunteers braved chilly temperatures and rain for the annual event at the company’s Cayce operations center. Each donated basket contained roughly 40 pounds of food and was packaged in advance to help minimize contact. Volunteers also wrapped more than 800 toys for those families with children and loaded personal and company vehicles to deliver the packages.
“It’s very rewarding to help ensure each family has peace of mind during the holidays,” Dominion Energy employee and Good Neighbor Fund board member Annette Burnette said. “It’s part of our values to give back to the community.”
Tommy Hilton’s family received a package for the first time this year. The West Columbia resident has been battling post-COVID issues since September. He has trouble breathing and requires a cane to get around his home. While he said his health has improved slightly, he has been unable to work since getting sick.
“The community has done a lot to help us get through this,” Hilton said. “It’s gone a long way, and we’re really thankful for them.”
Run by Dominion Energy employees, the Good Neighbor Fund is a nonprofit in its 39th year providing financial assistance to families who face unexpected tragedies or emergencies. The Christmas Project is the culmination of a year of ongoing activities sponsored by the Good Neighbor Fund through donations from the company’s employees and retirees. All donations go directly to help families who were referred to the program by Dominion Energy employees or retirees.
