Following is an update on the latest initiatives DLC and employee volunteers are actively supporting to further recognize and assist local veterans and military members.
Veterans in the Workforce Event
To contribute to the ongoing conversation advocating for veterans in the workforce, Duquesne Light employees joined the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) in Philadelphia in November to highlight the importance and impact of veterans in the utility industry.
Shelby Linton-Keddie, Manager, State Regulatory Strategy – Senior Counsel, and Brian McAdoo, Senior Manager, Operations Services, traveled to Philadelphia on Thursday, Nov. 9 for the Veterans in the Workforce event, where they represented DLC at a gathering comprised of PUC members, leaders from Gov. Tom Wolf’s Administration – including the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor & Industry – and representatives from public utilities across the state.
Items discussed at the event included projected utility hiring needs, attributes that veterans bring to the workforce and the desire to hire more veterans in to the industry.
“It was an honor to represent DLC and to be recognized by Chairman Brown for our efforts with hiring and supporting veterans and active duty military members,” said Brian McAdoo, Senior Manager, Operations Services
Stand Down Pittsburgh
The Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania hosted Stand Down Pittsburgh, a day-long homeless veteran services fair held Nov. 18. The day prior to the event, employee volunteers loaded up trucks (see front page photo) with supplies that were distributed during the Stand Down Event. This included cases of water along with donated clothing, shoes and other basic necessities.
The annual event features 60 health and community service providers, entertainment, clothing, supplies and complimentary breakfast and lunch to area veterans, along with many other vital services. A group of DLC employee veterans attended the 10th annual event at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
The Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania provides essential housing, employment and vital supportive services to eligible local veterans, service members and their families with the goal of improving their self-sufficiency, sustainability and quality of life.
Candy Drive for Military Members
The Company hosted a Halloween candy collection for military members beginning in late October. Between Oct. 30 and Nov. 15, employees were asked to bring in leftover Halloween candy for donation to U.S. troops through Military Connections, a nonprofit organization that provides supplies and support to U.S. service members overseas.
Thanks to the generous contributions of DLC employees, 18 boxes of candy were collected and passed on for distribution to the men and women serving abroad. Efforts were coordinated by DLC’s S.E.R.V.I.C.E. (Search, Engage and Recruit Veterans Into Civilian Employment) Committee.
DLC continues its ongoing commitment to hiring military veterans through its S.E.R.V.I.C.E. recruitment initiative. The Company also participates in numerous career fairs annually to recruit veterans.
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