Contact:
Rachael Lighty, rachael.lighty@bge.com
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)
BGE Media Hotline: 410.470.7433
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BGE, CareFirst, Constellation, Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price, Transamerica and
Under Armour Team Up to Honor National 9/11 Day of Service with Veteran-Led
The 6th Branch Nonprofit Organization
In honor of the anniversary of 9/11, nearly 200 volunteers teamed up with the veteran-led nonprofit
organization, The 6th Branch, for a day of service in the Johnston Square neighborhood of
Baltimore City
BALTIMORE (Sept. 11, 2014) — In honor and remembrance of the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001,
nearly 200 volunteers from seven of the Baltimore area’s largest employers and corporate
philanthropists teamed up today for the third annual ‘Together We Serve’ Day of Service in the
Johnston Square neighborhood of Baltimore City. The effort is part of an ongoing neighborhood
revitalization initiative led by The 6th Branch, a veteran-led, nonprofit organization that uses the
leadership and organizational skills of military veterans to execute aggressive community service
initiatives at the local level.
Volunteers from BGE, CareFirst, Constellation, Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price, Transamerica and Under
Armour spent the day in the Johnston Square community – an area struggling with poverty, neglect,
vacant homes and a lack of recreational space for children – building flower boxes and picnic tables,
mulching trees along neighborhood streets, painting and maintaining play areas for children at the
Johnston Square Elementary School, and cleaning up three community lots to clear the way for
neighborhood gardens as part of a larger effort to improve quality of life and access to healthy food for
residents in the community. Classic Catering served as the catering sponsor, donating boxed lunches
and water to all volunteers and participates in support of the National 9/11 Day of Service.
“BGE understands the importance of supporting nonprofit organizations like The 6th Branch, who are
continuing their service to their country by now serving their community,” said Calvin G. Butler Jr.,
chief executive officer for BGE. “The hard work and sweat that the volunteers have put into this
community is truly a testament to the commitment to honor and recognize those who have served and
to give back to them on this important day.”
Thanks to the efforts of The 6th Branch, community partner Rebuild Johnston Square, and their
volunteers, the Johnston Square neighborhood has seen significant revitalization in recent years. In
addition to the external improvements made at Ambrose Kennedy Park and Johnston Square
Elementary School, a new concept has emerged with the guidance of Principal Raymond Braxton.
This year, roughly 25 volunteers will spend the day transforming an empty classroom into a “parent’s
room” – a site where parents of students will be able to take classes that include resume-building and
financial literacy. The room will be outfitted with computers, chairs, desks and a printer.
As part of its commitment to building strong communities in central Maryland, BGE supports
initiatives like the National 9/11 Day of Service. In 2013 alone, BGE employees, friends and family
logged more than 25,000 hours volunteering with more than 135 different community organizations.
Equivalent to 12 years of full-time service, these volunteer efforts offer BGE’s nonprofit partners the
opportunity to reinvest resources and better serve communities throughout central Maryland.
Since its founding nearly 200 years ago, BGE has played an integral role in working with Maryland
communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues and other initiatives that
help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that
deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of energy efficiency and assistance, the
environment, education, economic and community development, and emergency response and safety.
BGE’s corporate citizenship aligns with that of its parent company, Exelon Corporation. As part of
Exelon’s merger in March 2012, Exelon and its subsidiaries have committed to maintain charitable
giving of an average of $7 million per year in Maryland, including BGE’s service area, for the next 10
years.
To view photos from the event, visit BGE’s Flickr site at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mybge/. To
learn more about BGE’s commitment to philanthropic giving and volunteerism, visit bge.com/giving.
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About BGE:
BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to
more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central
Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable
delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental
stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the
nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2012 revenues of approximately $23.5 billion. Like
us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
About CareFirst
In its 77th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries,
offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4
million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2013,
CareFirst contributed $57 million to community programs designed to increase the accessibility,
affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website and follow us on Twitter.
About Legg Mason
Legg Mason is a global asset management firm with $693 billion in assets under management as of
July 31, 2014. The Company provides active asset management in many major investment centers
throughout the world. Legg Mason is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and its common stock is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: LM).
Editor’s Note: Suggested Photo Caption:
Nearly 200 volunteers from seven of Baltimore’s largest employers Baltimore area’s largest
employers and corporate philanthropists teamed up today for the third annual ‘Together We Serve’
Day of Service in the Johnston Square neighborhood of Baltimore City. The effort is part of an
ongoing neighborhood revitalization initiative led by The 6th Branch. Volunteers from BGE,
CareFirst, Constellation, Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price, Transamerica and Under Armour spent the day
in the Johnston Square community maintaining play areas for children at the Johnston Square
Elementary School and cleaning up three community lots to clear the way for neighborhood gardens
as part of a larger effort to improve quality of life and access to healthy food for residents in the
community.