NV Energy Announces Power of Good Winners

NV Energy announced the winners of the latest Power of Good Giveaway on Tuesday.  The NV Energy Foundation gives a total of $15,000 to three northern Nevada non-profits as part of the semi-annual program.  This current giveaway had an environmental theme and community members voted to pick the top three.

Sierra Safari Zoo took the top check of $10,000.

"The $10,000 is huge," said Zoo Manager Mauricio Duran.  "It's going to help promote our educational programs to help teach the community about conservation and sustainability with the environment, and with wildlife around the world."

Like most non-profits, the zoo relies on donations and volunteers to keep its mission going.

"We're the only zoo in northern Nevada and our mission is to promote conservation and sustainability by bringing animals and people together," Duran said.

Third place, $2,000, went to Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) to help with their education programs.

"We focus on educating youth in grades 3-5 because we want to make them good stewards of the environment early on and a lot of the time they take this information home to their parents," said KTMB Executive Director Christi Cakiroglu.

The group organizes volunteer projects year round and hosts community cleanups all over the region.

"We're just trying to create lifelong stewards," Cakiroglu said.  "People who care about our environment and the community -  keeping it clean and making sure our water stays safe for generations to come."

The second place winner is Friends of Nevada Wilderness.  That group will use the $3,000 to help with the area damaged by the Martin Fire this summer.

"We're going to be able to purchase seed, some specialty items to help repair the riparian zone along the north fork of the Little Humboldt River," said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director.  "We're going to be working with other groups and stakeholders out there, the ranchers, it's a great opportunity for people to give back to their public lands."

The money will help get more boots on the ground.

"Some of the project work we do is in really remote areas so every little bit helps and the more funds we get the more volunteers and the bigger difference we can make on the ground," Netherton said.

NV Energy started this program a year ago to recognize the groups making a difference here.

"Our employees live here and we want to make this a better place," said Mary Simmons of NV Energy.  "These organizations do that."

Money for these giveaways comes from a foundation, not from customers.