​BALTIMORE (June 11, 2018) – Exelon, BGE's parent company, honored two outstanding BGE employees last week at its annual Energy for the Community Employee Volunteer Awards ceremony in Baltimore. The awards are the company's highest honors recognizing employees for their exceptional commitment to volunteering and serving communities. A total of $15,000 was awarded to the organizations where the two BGE employees volunteer. 

Travis East, BGE facilities and equipment technician and member of the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company, received the Achievement Award in recognition for his contributions to the fire company. On his behalf, the fire company will receive a $10,000 grant, the second highest award. 

Val Jenkins, BGE field support assistant and founder of the nonprofit Hug Don't Shoot, received the Merit Award and $5,000 for the nonprofit which provides anti-violence resources and activities that support and educate local youth.  

"Through volunteerism, we help improve the quality of life for people in the communities where we live, work and serve," said Calvin G. Butler Jr., chief executive officer for BGE. "We applaud Travis and Val for their passion, and their commitment to powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers and communities across central Maryland." 

Now in its 12th year, Exelon, through the Energy for the Community Awards, recognized 24 employees across its family of companies and donated $200,000 in their honor to nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. areas. In 2017, Exelon donated $52 million in shareholder funds to charitable organizations nationwide. 

Travis East - Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company 
Travis is a Lieutenant with the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company and has volunteered with the organization for eight years. He helps people through what is often the worst day of their lives. On any given emergency call, he and his team will save a life, provide comfort to a family member who has just lost a loved one, or help someone who is injured and scared. He answers more than 100 calls a year ranging from car accidents to full working house fires and everything in-between. But Travis' volunteerism for the Fire Company goes far beyond that. He routinely organizes and conducts safety demonstrations at schools and community events, reaching more than 600 people annually. He also serves as chair for the annual banquet and is responsible for planning and preparing for the annual awards ceremony that recognizes outstanding firefighters and EMS personnel.

Val Jenkins - Hug Don't Shoot
Val founded Hug Don't Shoot in August 2017 to bring a sense of peace to the community – "one hug at a time." The organization was born out of Val's frustration with Baltimore's high crime rate and an enduring conviction that things could get better by spreading compassion and empathy throughout communities. Hug Don't Shoot provides a platform of anti-violence resources and creates programs and activities that support and educate local youth, and recruits "Hug Dealers" to provide support for kids on their first day of school and for the families of crime victims. The organization has been present at more than 100 locations across Baltimore City, including hospitals, nursing homes, and community centers, to increase awareness about their cause and provide a sense of peace in the community. 

BGE and its employees are committed to enhancing the quality of life for its customers and their families in communities throughout central Maryland. To learn more about BGE's commitment to philanthropic giving and volunteerism, click here. 

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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility. The company's approximately 3,200 employees are committed to safe and reliable power delivery to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 675,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. J.D. Power's 2017 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) ranked BGE highest in customer satisfaction with business electric service in the east among large utilities. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $5 billion of output in its service area, supporting more than 9,500 local jobs and producing $923 million in labor income. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.