At Martin Waymire, our company passion is to “serve clients who are working to make Michigan a better place.” The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) is a perfect example of an MW client walking that talk.
On June 5, the BWL received the Governor’s Service Award for Corporate Community Leader recognizing the utility for its ongoing and frequent support for Mid-Michigan. The award from the Michigan Community Service Commission recognizes the BWL’s volunteerism and service and generous financial support for programs, organizations and people across Greater Lansing.
The Commission noted that the BWL “has made a lasting impression in the greater Lansing area. Every year, the BWL hosts four of its own events supporting local charities and organizations,” including the Adopt a River cleanup program, Hometown Power 5K, Golf 4 Charity Scramble and Chili Cook-off.
“Together, these events take hundreds of hours and approximately 300 volunteers to successfully pull off,” the Commission said. “The result has been an impressive $30,000 annual donation from the proceeds to local charities, including the Sparrow Foundation, Impression 5, H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program and more.”
The BWL was also praised for giving nearly $200,000 a year to various other fundraisers and events, including:
- In 2017 the 43rd annual “Kaleidoscope: Reflect, Recharge, Reimagine,” which empowers and inspires local women and benefits Women Working Wonders fundraising initiatives.
- The Pennies for Power charity, which provides one-time utility shutoff protection for struggling families in the BWL service territory. The Pennies for Power charity raises almost $50,000 from customer giving alone.
The BWL’s support for a better Michigan can also be found in the company’s operations. The BWL is in the early stages of ending its use of coal to generate power. Instead, the BWL is implementing its “Lansing Energy Tomorrow” plan to become Michigan’s cleanest electric utility. The plan closes the BWL’s two remaining coal plants and moves to 40 percent clean energy by 2030, while significantly improving reliability and maintaining affordable rates.
Martin Waymire is proud to represent the BWL and our other clients who are working to make Michigan a better place.
