NEWARK – Delmarva Power has recognized two employees, Vernita Coverdale and Dawn Furlough, for their community volunteer work at the company’s virtual Powering Communities Employee Volunteer Awards. To recognize the employees’ hard work, Delmarva Power’s parent company, Exelon, announced a combined $15,000 in charitable contributions to the local nonprofits that the award winners support. During COVID-19, when the need for support is greater than ever, Delmarva Power and its employees have continued to find innovative ways to continue volunteering efforts and supporting local nonprofits.
“Our employee volunteers are the heart and soul of our efforts to give back to the communities we serve,” said Mellanie Kai Lassiter, senior manager of Corporate Relations for Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power in a statement. “Every year their contributions never cease to amaze and inspire, and I am so glad we can recognize them and their nonprofit partners through our Powering Communities program.”
This year’s Powering Communities Employee Volunteer Award winners were selected for their contributions to YMCA of Delaware and Special Olympics of Maryland.
- Vernita Coverdale, of Newark, Del., a customer account manager, volunteers with the YMCA of Delaware. In 2017, Coverdale began volunteering with the Black Achievers Program, a teen leadership program through the YMCA of Delaware that engages high school students with adult mentors. She conducts Saturday sessions for youth and adult achievers, and coordinates field trips and industry site visits that expose teens to numerous career opportunities. As a mentor, Coverdale strives to make a positive contribution in the lives of youth by offering guidance and encouragement. To inspire students to pursue higher education and successful careers, she guides activities on topics such as business, communications, STEM, community service and law. Each year, Coverdale also chaperones students on the one-week College Tour program where students learn about college admissions and college life. She continually strives to improve the College Tour program and has helped drive the program participants’ 100 percent college acceptance rate.
- Dawn Furlough, of Cordova, Md., a field engineer, volunteers with the Special Olympics of Maryland (SOMD). When Furlough was younger, she lost her cousin to cerebral palsy and wishes that her cousin had the opportunity to be involved in the Special Olympics growing up. Furlough has since been involved with the organization and is making a lasting impact on the staff and athletes by continuously looking for ways to create a world where opportunity is not limited by disability. She got started as a skills station volunteer at the state golf championship, and then as a general volunteer at one of the regional bowling competitions. Thanks to her dedication in providing high-level, quality competition experiences for the athletes, SOMD moved Furlough into volunteer leadership positions. Since then, she has served as a lead volunteer on various management teams throughout the sports department, including golf, kayaking, control center (Summer Games and soccer), and the Winter Games Evaluation Team.
This year, 24 employees across the Exelon companies were recognized for their efforts and their nonprofit partners each received grants from the company. An external selection committee, comprised of leaders from the nonprofit community, selected these dedicated individuals for their volunteer efforts. Since 2007, the awards program has recognized more than 240 employees and provided more than $1.5 million to nonprofit partners.
Through the Powering Communities program, hundreds of Delmarva Power employees volunteer annually to support initiatives including arts and culture, community development, environmental sustainability, and education initiatives that align with the company’s purpose of powering a cleaner and brighter future for its customers and communities.
