BROOKLYN, NY--(Marketwired - Jan 21, 2015) - Columbia Utilities, a family owned and operated energy supply company, announced today a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity New York City, an organization that transforms lives by building quality homes with families in need. Through the Home Energy Sponsorship, Columbia Utilities will donate the funds for a year's worth of electricity and gas to two Habitat for Humanity homes in Brooklyn and Queens to help families transition into their new homes.
High-energy costs associated with cold winters and first-time home ownership often burden the community's neediest families, who are forced to make difficult financial choices such as sacrificing comforts -- like heating and cooling that many others consider necessities -- to pay rent or healthcare expenses. Columbia Utilities and Habitat for Humanity New York City will address this great need by working together.
"As a family-owned company based in Brooklyn since 1938, we strongly believe in supporting New Yorkers in need," said Robert Palmese, President of Columbia Utilities. "Partnering with Habitat for Humanity New York City, an organization with deep commitment to the New York local community, is an exciting way to amplify our joint efforts."
"We are proud to call Columbia Utilities a partner of Habitat for Humanity New York City. Columbia Utilities shares Habitat NYC's goals of serving families and neighborhoods with integrity," said Alex Havriliak, acting CEO of Habitat for Humanity New York City.
Columbia Utilities' partnership with Habitat for Humanity New York City is part of the ongoing "Columbia Cares" initiative, a larger effort to give back to the communities in which Columbia Utilities operates. In December 2013, Columbia Utilities launched "Columbia Cares" with the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO). For every new customer who participates, Columbia Cares donates $1 every month to ACCO for each gas and/or electric account, with no limit to how much can be donated. In January 2014, Columbia Utilities announced that it has reached its donation goal of $10,000 but will continue to offer customers the opportunity to donate to ACCO.
For more information about Columbia Cares and the partnership with Habitat for Humanity, please visit https://www.columbiautilities.com/columbiacares/.
About Columbia Utilities
Columbia Utilities is a family owned and operated energy supply company (ESCO) that supplies electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil in New York. Our family has been in the energy business for over 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.
About Habitat for Humanity New York City
Habitat for Humanity New York City transforms lives and our city by building quality homes with families in need and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. With the help of thousands of volunteers every year, Habitat NYC has served more than 380 families in the five boroughs of New York City with their permanent housing needs. www.habitatnyc.org
Contact Information:
Contact:
Elana Rueven
212-784-5723
ERueven@groupgordon.com
Sarah Fox Tracy
212-991-4000 Ext. 305
stracy@habitatnyc.org