RG&E OPTS NOT TO DONATE TO United Way THIS YEAR By Todd Grady Staff Writer (May 18, 2004) Although its employees donated $225,000, executives of Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. opted not to make a corporate contribution to this year’s United Way campaign. It’s the first time in many years that the utility, which was purchased by Energy East Corp. in 2002, has declined to make a company gift. ”Unlike some companies that come and go, RG&E has always been there,” said Joseph Calabrese, president and chief executive of the United Way of Greater Rochester, who called the lack of a donation disappointing. The corporate campaign, led by the area’s largest employers, raised about $7 million toward the agency’s $35 million total. “So many of the companies and organizations have been going through difficult economic times, but they’ve still decided making United Way a priority,” Calabrese said. RG&E officials refused to comment. But Calabrese said the utility’s management told United Way that the decision not to give a corporate gift was an “aberration, and that they hope that next year that they will be able to contribute corporately again.” RG&E did participate in other United Way initiatives this year, such as the Day of Caring. In 2003, RG&E’s corporate gift to United Way was $175,000, down from $335,000 in 2002. G. Jean Howard, executive director of Wilson Commencement Park and the only local representative on Energy East’s board, could not be reached for comment. One of the issues Howard has said she feels strongly about is maintaining the utility’s support of community charities. Calabrese said United Way has overcome reductions in donations from other local businesses that were purchased by out-of-town corporations, including Frontier. But he said the phone company, which is owned by Citizens Communications Co., increased its corporate contribution to $150,000 in 2004. Cuts in corporate gifts “has caused some real challenges for the community’s support for core services,” said Jennifer Leonard, president and executive director of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, which administers multiple charitable funds. This year, United Way/Red Cross was able to top its goal by $7,218 after Eastman Kodak Co. gave an extra $50,000 at the last minute, making its corporate gift almost $1.9 million. TGRADY@DemocratandChronicle.com
What a bunch of Hippocratical BASTARDS ! All the years I worked at the RG$E the employees were giving cards with what they were EXPECTED to give to United Way PENCILLED IN. Anyone who did not give what they were told to was severely punished ! Of course the decision not to give to the United Way came from ENRON EAST. The company that really cares about its customers, employees and Rochester - - - Dave Look what the Hippocrates want their past and present employees to do IN 2005 !
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