In the traditional definition, we have thought of a community as a group of people in the same place with common needs or interests. Today, communities may be as small as a group of social media “friends,” or as large as the millions of world-wide soccer fans. Regardless of their size or location, members of communities share that they all are affected by the well being of each.

For more than one hundred years, American Electric Power has held strongly the belief that we and our employees must take significant responsibility for the strength of communities we serve. While the safe production and delivery of reliable, affordable electric power to our customers is our first responsibility, our contribution to the physical health, education and quality of life of our communities is an extremely important priority.

Ask nearly any employee of AEP and its operating units what they most appreciate about the company and you are certain to hear praise for the caring attitude of AEP’s workforce. Employees will also tell you they are very proud of the work AEP supports in the communities in which they live and work.

At no time in recent history has a supportive force been more important to our local communities. In the face of economic crises, significant job loss, weather emergencies and pandemic health issues, the pressure this year on community agencies that serve basic needs has been great. Many quality programs that address longer-term educational and cultural initiatives have seen their financial underpinnings diminish, as communities and donors turned their attention to the provision of simple food and shelter for the hardest hit.

We are grateful that AEP has maintained its stability through many periods of economic downturn. We are fortunate to be able to continue our support of hundreds of worthwhile agencies and initiatives that keep our communities strong.

I invite you to read, here, about a small sampling of those efforts and to continue or strengthen your own efforts to support the causes closest to your heart.