Dec. 31, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric employees set a new record during the company’s annual Employee Giving Campaign this year, raising more than $1.59 million (including PGE’s 50 percent match) for community organizations.

“The devotion and kindness of PGE employees and retirees never ceases to amaze me,” said Peggy Fowler, CEO and president of PGE. “This year’s campaign truly demonstrates the PGE family’s unwavering dedication to our community.”

The 2008 PGE Employee Giving Campaign totals $1,593,619 with 61 percent of employees participating and benefiting 897 nonprofits and schools. PGE’s percentage of participation nearly doubles the national employee giving average of 35 percent. This year’s campaign beat last year’s record of $1,438,708 by more than ten percent. 

PGE employees and retirees ranked Oregon Food Bank top of their donor list in the company’s annual campaign this year, raising more than $92,000 (including the company match) for the local hunger-relief agency.   With more than 400 individual donations from PGE employees, Christine Hames, corporate relations and events manager at the Oregon Food Bank, said she is impressed with the overwhelming involvement in the Employee Giving Campaign and PGE’s commitment to Oregon Food Bank during these tough economic times.

“Once again, the generosity of PGE employees and retirees has gone above and beyond for the Oregon Food Bank,” Hames said. “These donations come at a critical time, as nearly half of the OFB network's 20 regional food banks are distributing record amounts of emergency food. The PGE family continues to make a significant difference for Oregon's hungry children, working families, elderly and disabled; and we are very grateful for that."  

In addition to the financial contributions, PGE employees volunteered more than 645 hours at the Oregon Food Bank in 2008.

During the annual Employee Giving Campaign, PGE’s 2,700 employees and more than 1,000 retirees can designate any charitable nonprofit or accredited school to receive their pledges and PGE matches their contributions by 50 percent. Since the company match program began in 1998, PGE employees and retirees have contributed more than $10.5 million to their communities through the campaign.

For 2008, top local recipients include:

• Oregon Food Bank, Inc.
• Providence Cancer Center (Providence Medical Foundation)
• Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation
• Oregon Burn Center (Emanuel Medical Center Foundation)
• Oregon Public Broadcasting
• Oregon Heat
• SOLV
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area

In addition to making monetary donations to their favorite organizations, PGE employees and retirees also give freely of their personal time. During 2008 alone, PGE volunteers are expected log nearly 80,000 volunteer hours with their favorite nonprofit organizations.