Braidwood
Team Wins Top “Energy for the Community” Award
DATE: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Earlier today, the company announced
the 2010 Energy for the Community Awards. Receiving the top
award was “Team Braidwood” for their service with Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc.
Led by Ray Phelps (Engineering)
and Mary Ellen Papesh (IT), “Team Braidwood” donated 665 hours of community service to MOMS through volunteerism
and advisory board positions.
Ray and Mary Ellen championed
a number of initiatives to benefit Operation MOMS including the organization of community events that resulted in thousands
of care packages being mailed to troops serving overseas. They also help
bolster the morale of Illinois troops and their families by arranging several homecoming and send-off ceremonies.
In addition, both Ray and Mary
Ellen have taken leadership roles in project management, outreach programs, logistics and fundraising campaigns for MOMS.
“I would like to congratulate
Ray and Mary Ellen on winning this award,” said Braidwood Site Vice President Amir Shahkarami. “They are extremely
dedicated to helping our deployed American Troops and their hard work is paying off in a big way.”
Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc. is the benefitting charity for the 2010 “Fishing for a Cure”
tournament slated for May 22 at Braidwood Lake .
“We expect this to be one
of our best fundraising events ever,” Shahkarami said. “I can’t think of a better cause then helping those
who serve our Country.”
As the top honorees,
Phelps and Papesh will represent Exelon at the National Jefferson Awards in Washington , D.C. , this spring. The Jefferson
Awards are an annual celebration of volunteerism hosted by the American Institute for Public Service.
Operation MOMS Cookies will receive a $20,000
grant from Exelon.
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March 4, 2010
Announcing
the “Energy for the Community” Volunteer Award winners;
Exelon to donate $100,000
to winners’ not-for-profit organizations
In its fourth year, the Exelon
“Energy for the Community” Volunteer Awards program will honor 12 employees for exemplary
community service. The winning entries are a testament to the dedicated community service of the 1,800 Exelon employees
who donated more than 58,000 volunteer hours in 2009. This year’s honorees continue to bring to life our values and
our corporate citizenship goals.
An external selection committee
representing local and national not-for-profit organizations, media outlets, and civic, cultural and educational institutions
chose the 2010 honorees, who will be recognized in May during award ceremonies hosted by Exelon Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe in Chicago and Philadelphia. All employees also will be recognized by the American Institute for Public Service as
part of the organization’s local program of the National Jefferson Awards.
"On behalf of all Exelon employees,
we are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of these winners. Please join me in congratulating these honorees and all
our colleagues who have made volunteer service and giving back to the community a central part of their lives,” Rowe
said.
The
Honorees
Excellence
Award: This is the top Energy for the Community Volunteer
Award; the winner’s nonprofit will receive a $20,000 grant from Exelon.
· Ray Phelps, a
senior engineering analyst at Braidwood Station, and Mary Ellen Papesh, an IT
analyst at Braidwood, will receive the company-wide first place Excellence Award on behalf of “Team Braidwood’s”
service with Operation: MOMS Cookies in Wilmington, Ill. MOMS
(Men/Women Of Military Service) promotes patriotism and activism and encourages the community to uplift the morale of all
deployed service members. Last year, “Team Braidwood” donated 665 hours of community service to MOMS through volunteerism
and advisory board positions. Phelps and Papesh organized community events
resulting in thousands of care packages being mailed to troops serving overseas. They also bolstered the morale of Illinois
troops and their families by arranging several homecoming and send-off ceremonies. Both have taken leadership roles in project
management, outreach programs, logistics and fundraising campaigns for MOMS.
As the top honorees, Phelps and Papesh will represent Exelon at the National Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C., this
spring. The Jefferson Awards are an annual celebration of volunteerism hosted by the American Institute for Public Service.
Achievement
Awards: Five employees have won regional Achievement Awards.
Each of the nonprofit organizations they serve will receive a $10,000 donation
from Exelon. These regional awards are named after two inspirational employees known for their exemplary contributions to
the community and leadership as volunteers: Douglas C. Larsen, the late ComEd public
affairs director, and Cherrie E. Cooper, the late PECO public affairs director.
Merit Awards:
Six employees have won Merit Awards, with an accompanying
Exelon donation of $5,000 to the nonprofit organization served by each employee.
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Bass tourney to benefit Troops
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Photo: Nicholas Holstein
Debbie Trippiedi, founder of the Wilmington-based Operation
MOMS Cookies Inc., readies supplies for Illinois service men and women stationed overseas. Operation MOMS will be the beneficiary
of the May 22 "Fishing for a Cure" Exelon bass tournament at Braidwood Lake.
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Feb. 19, 2010, 11:11 am
By Bill Byrns
bbyrns@daily-journal.com
815-937-3304
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Maybe it should be "Fishing for a Cause," since
this year's Exelon-sponsored bass tournament at Braidwood Lake aims to bring some cheer
to Illinois troops stationed overseas.
Each year,
Exelon designates a different charity to benefit from its "Fishing for a Cure" tournament.
All proceeds from this
year's tournament -- including 100 percent of the $100-per-boat entry fees -- will benefit Operation MOMS Cookies Inc., of
Wilmington. The MOMS acronym stands for supporting our Men/Women
Of Military Service.
Helping families connect
Bass fishermen can help MOMS send a 1,000 or more military phone
cards to Illinois servicemen and women stationed overseas this year simply by entering the May 22 tournament.
Last
year, the tournament raised $20,000 for Autism Speaks, an agency assisting families with autistic children. Two years ago,
the tournament raised a record $26,000 for FAAN, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.
"Twenty thousand would
let us buy 1,278 more military phone cards," said MOMS founder and executive director Debbie Trippiedi.
"Families
here often buy the international phone cards, only to learn that they don't work the opposite way -- from Afghanistan or Iraq, back to the United States.
"We provide military phone cards that
cost $15.65 each and are good for around 78 minutes of calls," Trippiedi said. "Can you imagine just how invaluable it is
for a soldier to get to a phone center and be able to hear a loved one's voice?"
$10,000 in cash prizes
"The
Braidwood Power Station is putting up $10,000 in cash prizes for competing fishermen," said Exelon spokesman Neal Miller.
"The first place team will reel in an impressive $4,000, with second and third place netting $2,500 and $1,000, respectively.
The fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishers will win $500, and teams finishing seventh through tenth will win $250."
To
receive an entry form by mail or for more information, contact Miller via e-mail at neal.miller@exeloncorp.com or by telephone at (815) 417-3184. |
Anglers can compete for $10,000 in prize money
BRACEVILLE, Ill. (February
12, 2010) – For the ninth consecutive year, Braidwood Generating Station will host Exelon Nuclear’s
“Fishing for a Cure.” Anglers are invited to cast a line for charity in the team bass tournament on Saturday,
May 22 at Braidwood Lake in Braceville , Ill.
The station is putting up $10,000 in cash prizes for competing fishermen. The first place team will reel
in an impressive $4,000, with second and third place netting $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. The fourth, fifth and sixth
place finishers will win $500 and teams finishing seventh through tenth will win $250.
This year’s tournament proceeds will benefit Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc. The Wilmington , Ill.
based not-for-profit organization strives
to promote patriotism and community activism in programs aimed at uplifting the morale of deployed service members of the
U.S. Armed Forces. They do so through a variety of programs including their “Box of Home”
and “Buddy Box” care package mailings. The organization also coordinates welcomes and send offs and phone home
programs for American Troops.
“It’s great that
our charity tournament will benefit the men and women who serve in the armed forces,” said Braidwood Site Vice President
Amir Shahkarami. “We are looking forward to a day filled with fun, camaraderie and competitive fishing.”
The tournament will commence from Braidwood Lake ’s Kankakee Road (South) Ramp. The entry fee is
$100 per team with all proceeds,
including 100 percent of all tournament entry fees, going to Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc.
“We
are humbled and very appreciative to be the Beneficiary of Exelon's 2010 Fishing for a Cure tournament,” said Debbie
Trippiedi, Executive Director and Founder of Operation MOMS Cookies. “It is an honor to be a part of the wonderful history of
Exelon and its dedicated employees whom with pride and commitment make our communities a better place for so many.
We extend our heartfelt thanks for helping MOMS to fulfill our mission for and in support of our military men
and women.”
Rules and entry forms are available on the Internet at www.exeloncorp.com/programs/fishing.
Also
on May 22, a children’s tournament will again be held at the Godley Park District pond from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Registration
will begin at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $5 per child.
To receive an entry form by mail or for more information, contact Braidwood
Generating Station Communications Manager Neal Miller via e-mail at neal.miller@exeloncorp.com or by telephone at (815)
417-3184.
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In The News...
Dedicated Women of Marshall
County Kentucky and Marshall County Judge Executive Mike Miller
Sponsor Christmas Charity Contest ...FOR THE TROOPS!
Kentucky MOM, Karen Duchoslav spurs awareness and giving in
her many works of heart for the Troops...
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GO!
Grundy County's Own Magazine...
To the Staff of the Morris Daily Herald, MOMS extends its thanks and appreciation for the wonderful
feature story by Michael Farrell with Photo's by Adam Nekola. The hearts and hands of many from our community work
each day to send a smile and provide requests for our deployed Service Members...making a difference with their labors of
love and you told their story. To see the December Go Article, just click on the magazine page at left!
THANK YOU to the Morris Daily Herald and to our communities for your support of our Military Men and Women
and the Mission of MOMS!
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Posted: Wednesday, 09 December 2009 4:27PM
Operation MOMS Cookies Needs You
Lisa
Fielding Reporting
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JOLIET, Ill. (WBBM) -- Operation MOMS Cookies is
a hometown charity that has been sending care packages to soldiers overseas since 2002.
"It started when my son was
in the military and he told us that a lot of his friends didn't receive even a letter from home...
READ THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON WBBM above to connect! |
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Contents of this Article are Copyright 2009 by WBBM.
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Their
New song "Not Alone"...a Holiday Gift for our Troops!
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Local Band
Teams with MOMS Cookies to Send TRIBUTE SONG overseas...
The
New Lenox Patriot
~by Laura Michaels
18November2009
---------------------------
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| The Righteous Hillbillies of Joliet... |
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| Click Above to Connect! |
Click ABOVE to connect to The New
Lenox Patriot to read the Story and hear
"NOT ALONE"!
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November 17, 2009 | 12:33 AM
No politics, no sides, just a soldier's perspective.
This is what Kevin Wright and
Brent James had in mind when they wrote "Not Alone." And not alone is exactly what they hope soldiers feel when they listen
to the song at their bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After getting hooked up with Wilmington-based organization Operation: MOMS Cookies Inc., Wright and James, lead guitarist
and lead singer respectively for local band the Righteous Hillbillies, will have their song sent in nearly 1,500 care packages
to troops serving overseas.
"This thing is just blowing up before my very eyes," said Wright, a New Lenox resident.
"We
wanted to create a ballad. We don't want to take any political side and instead write from the soldiers' perspective," he
continued. "What are they thinking? Is everyone against me, am I forgotten?"
After Wright and James composed the song earlier this year, the band recorded it over the summer and performed
it in front of a live audience in October when the Righteous Hillbillies opened for the Charlie Daniels Band at the Rialto
Square Theatre in Joliet.
"It brought the house down," Wright said. "Everyone was on their feet, people were crying, it was just incredible."
But
months before the show it was a chance meeting with MOMS Cookies Founder Debbie Trippiedi at the Joliet Race Fan Rally that
really made the band's goal of reaching soldiers come true.
"Our booth was just a few down from where the band was,"
Trippiedi explained. "We got to talking and they performed at an event we had in August.
"[Kev] had e-mailed the lyrics
[to 'Not Alone'] and oh my God here go the tears. The song shows a whole new realm to the meaning of service."
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| At the UPS Freight AuroraTerminal, MOMS is presented a $10,000.00 Grant Check! |
A Holiday Miracle...
In the midst of growing submissions for assistance
of deployed Military Men and Women from Illinois and across the Globe, MOMS established the Operation Forward Support
Project Fund for troop basic need requests and other substantiated requested items. In a difficult economic climate
and with dwindling resources occurring at precisely the time when the need is growing, the corporate spirit of giving with
overwhelming generosity of UPS Freight has become a Holiday miracle for MOMS.
A $10,000.00 Grant was presented to MOMS at the Aurora UPS Freight Terminal from
the UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of United Parcel Service. "Without this, numerous basic need requests would be
left unfilled", said Founder Debbie Trippiedi. "We are very grateful for the overwhelming generosity of UPS with this Grant
and so appreciative of the wonderful UPS Freight family for remembering our Service Members who work each day on
behalf of each of our freedoms".
"The UPS Foundation is committed to funding impact programs that make a meaningful difference in our communities - so
we are proud to support OPERATION: MOMS Cookies efforts to provide for our U.S. Armed Forces Service Members deployed and
stationed overseas," said Ken Sternad, president of the UPS Foundation.
On behalf of the Board and Staff of MOMS, we extend our appreciation and deep thanks to the entire UPS Community for
their overwhelming corporate spirit in caring and support! A Holiday Miracle!
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“Mom’s
Cookies” sweeten service for troops
Girl Scouts and other volunteers put together packages for Operation Moms Cookies.
November 19, 2009
- November 25, 2009
NEWS The Times Weekly
“The need
is great and with the holidays approaching, it’s even greater.” Those were
the emphatic words of Debbie Trippiedi, founder of Operation: Mom’s Cookies, a volunteer organization dedicated to sending a boxed ‘hug’ from home in the form of care packages filled with much-needed personal items
for U.S. service men and women abroad. “I got the idea in 2002 from my experience with my own son, who is serving overseas in the
Army,” Trippiedi told The Times Weekly, “You’d be surprised to
know that even though
these men and
women are risking their lives to protect the freedoms we have here at home, many
of them do not even get so much as a postcard from home.” At least seven times a year, Operation Mom’s Cookies sends from 7 to 10 thousand care
boxes
to men and women
serving in units abroad. “We’re not just talking Iraq and Iran,” she emphasized,
“but globally.”
Local sponsors,
such as First Community Bank of Joliet, Comcast, Exxon and UPS have
joined the growing
list of local sponsors who have rallied to the call. “Our corporate sponsors have been an inspiration. We have UPS coming out to one of the local community
centers to create personalized Christmas stockings for our service men and women
and First Community Bank of Joliet has purchased CDs of
the
song “You
Are Not Alone” written by the local Joliet
group, the Righteous Hillbillies to put in each one of the gift boxes we send out. Even the Girl Scouts of America are big contributors. They give a portion of the proceeds of every box of cookies
that they sell to help out!” Gift boxes will go to military units including
Iraq, Afghanistan,
Germany, Bosnia, Japan,
Arab Emirates and 14 naval vessels. “With our global commitments and the numbers of troops that are being deployed from reserve units
in Illinois, the need is greater this Holiday Season
than ever!” Hundreds of volunteers have been helping to get care boxes
ready for the Holidays. “The need is especially great this year. We’ve
had to move into a new facility in an industrial park in Wilmington, because of the space requirements that we now have.” Personal items are the greatest need. “We need everything
from personal wipes to cosmetics for our
servicewomen,
personal medical supplies, global calling cards, knee pads, writing materials
and, yes, homemade cookies, to send to our service men and women to make sure
that they feel loved and supported by those of us at home. ”This holiday season, Operation Mom’s Cookies is asking that individuals not
only volunteer their time, but also send cash donations. “It’s
going to cost us at least 25 thousand dollars to send
out gift packages
for the holiday, ”Trippiedi said. “We also need a number of personal-sized
items such as hand sanitizers, personal wipes, individually packaged tooth
brushes and travel-sized
toothpaste and mouth wash. Granola bars and snack bars are also high on the list...
For more...connect
to the Times Weekly!
INSIDE >>
254 E. Cass
St.
P.O. Box 2277
Joliet, IL
60434-2277
Phone: 815-723-0325
Fax: 815-723-0326
To contact The Times Weekly
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Information send e-mail to
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