Media Contact: Mary Fanning-Penny (608) 458-6250
Special Olympics Wisconsin and YMCA of Dane County each to receive $2,500 grant
MADISON, Wisconsin – December 16, 2011 – As part of Alliant Energy’s Power Your Health Wellness Program, over 1,000 employees participated in a six-week “Charitable Challenge” tracking the number of minutes they spent performing physical activities, such as: biking, walking, running and even yard work. The goal was to engage in 600 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity, equating to about 14 minutes a day. For every minute of physical activity employees reported in the challenge, the Alliant Energy Foundation pledged to contribute a penny to charity – up to $10,000.
“I’m proud to report that Alliant Energy employees exceeded the challenge by logging 1.4 million minutes of physical activity,” said Wayne Reschke, Vice President of Human Resources for Alliant Energy. For meeting the challenge, the Alliant Energy Foundation will deliver on its pledge to donate $10,000 to charity by awarding grants to two organizations specializing in health and physical fitness, the Special Olympics and the YMCA. “As every minute of activity benefited the health of our valued employees, every penny of the $10,000 charitable contribution will benefit important community programs.”
Since Alliant Energy has utility companies in both Iowa and Wisconsin, the $10,000 will be divided evenly resulting in four $2,500 grants. The grant recipients are:
* Special Olympics Iowa
* YMCA of Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area
* Special Olympics Wisconsin
* YMCA of Dane County, Inc.
“Developing physical fitness and participating in athletics allows people to demonstrate courage and experience joy,” said Dennis Alldridge, President of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “That’s why we believe it is so important to provide adults and children with intellectual disabilities year-round access to sports training and competition. This gift helps us to achieve that mission.”
“As an organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, we commend the employees of Alliant Energy for their commitment to health through physical activity,” said YMCA of Dane County President Carrie Wall. “And, we graciously accept this grant of $2,500.”
The Alliant Energy Foundation is an independent, non-profit philanthropic corporation funded by Alliant Energy shareowners.
