Columbia Utilities and PALMco Exceeds $10,000 Donation Goal for the American Childhood Cancer Organization

BROOKLYN, NY--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2014) - Columbia Utilities and PALMco, family owned and operated energy supply companies, have already reached their goal to raise $10,000 for the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO), one of the largest national organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and adolescents with cancer and their families, by the end of 2014.

In December 2013, Columbia Utilities and PALMco announced their partnership with ACCO, pledging to donate $1 every month for every participating new customer's gas and/or electric account, with a goal of $10,000 by the end of 2014. Through "Columbia Cares" and "PALMco Cares," customers are able to make an impact on the lives of others by simply paying their utility bills. There is no limit to how much can be donated, making it both Columbia Utilities' and PALMco's most significant partnership to date.

"The eagerness to donate to ACCO has been truly extraordinary; in the last two weeks of December alone, our customers helped us raise nearly $7,000 for ACCO," said Robert Palmese, President of Columbia Utilities and PALMco. "Reaching our $10,000 goal so quickly demonstrates the incredible generosity of our loyal customers and their clear desire to turn a mundane task like paying the utility bill into a thoughtful act of giving back. We thank each and every customer who participated in making a big impact on the lives of children battling this deadly disease. Columbia Utilities and PALMco will continue to donate to ACCO throughout the year and help children and their families receive the care and attention they deserve."

"As any parent can testify, there is nothing more frightening than the thought of their child being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. As the Executive Director of the American Childhood Cancer Organization, I can personally testify that there is also nothing more hopeful for parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer than the support that comes from individuals and communities who embrace this cause. The childhood cancer burden is easier to bear because of the generous support of individuals like Robert Palmese, companies like Columbia Utilities and PALMco, and their customers. ACCO is incredibly grateful to be the recipient of the funds being generated from people supporting children with cancer through the paying of their utility bills," noted Ruth Hoffman, Executive Director of the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

With a new year starting, Columbia Utilities and PALMco hope to expand this critical partnership by hosting additional fundraising events and bringing more awareness to ACCO's work and mission. ACCO has been providing essential treatment information and support to families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer since 1970. Started by parents, ACCO remains the largest grassroots voice of children with cancer in the country.

Columbia Utilities and PALMco are sister companies, based in Brooklyn, New York, and owned and operated by the same family. Columbia Utilities supplies electricity, gas, and oil in New York, while PALMco supplies electricity and gas in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Columbia Utilities
Columbia Utilities is a family owned and operated energy supply company (ESCO) that supplies electricity, gas, and oil in New York. Our family has been in the energy business for 75 years, and we dedicate ourselves to providing quality service, customer satisfaction, dependable energy, and competitive prices. For more information, please visit www.columbiautilities.com.

PALMco Energy
PALMco Energy is a family owned and operated energy supply company (ESCO) that supplies electricity and gas in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Our family has been in the energy business for 75 years, and we dedicate ourselves to providing quality service, customer satisfaction, dependable energy, and competitive prices. For more information, please visit www.palmcoenergy.com.