In addition to our giving through the MGE Foundation, MGE also supports our community through partnerships and collaborations, memberships and sponsorships, and many other activities. With hundreds of local nonprofits, community organizations, institutions, advocacy and other groups, we have many opportunities to partner for the betterment of our community.
Community events, activities and programs bring people together to solve problems, educate, encourage and connect with one another. When we give of our time and support, we help to make our communities strong, healthy and vibrant.
We appreciate all of the opportunities we have to work together with local stakeholders and our customers in pursuit of shared goals for our community. A few of our activities from 2017 follow.
Working with Youth
We collaborate with others on youth-based programs—ranging from providing classrooms with Earth Day sustainability booklets to electric safety demonstrations and energy efficiency curriculum and activities. We also partner with community organizations to offer student internships and career programming for children in middle and high school.
STEAM Camp
In summer 2017, middle school students spent a day at MGE to experience careers in energy as part of STEAM Camp. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
MGE served as one of nine hosts across the area for the weeklong camp. MGE was pleased to partner in the program, coordinated by Strang, Inc., to give students the opportunity to experience careers in STEAM disciplines.
Campers came from the Urban League of Greater Madison, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland.
As part of STEAM Camp, the middle school students visited MGE's training facility in Fitchburg where electric, gas, and meter and connection crews train to provide our community with safe, reliable energy.
The students also visited MGE's Blount Generating Station in downtown Madison. The historic building serves as a natural gas-fired power plant.
Future Quest 2017
An estimated 5,300 students attended Future Quest 2017. Mack Walters, a Supervisor in MGE's Gas Operations Department, was one of several MGE employees to volunteer at the event.
Community Education Manager Jim Jenson helps students at Future Quest 2017, a career event for middle schoolers coordinated by the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Dane County School Consortium.
As a participant in Future Quest 2017, MGE employees from Commercial Marketing, Corporate Communications, Gas Operations and Human Resources had the opportunity to talk with middle school students from across our community about energy-related careers. The Madison Metropolitan School District and the Dane County School Consortium partnered to offer this hands-on experience for students to explore different careers. In addition to learning about the energy industry, students learned from MGE employees about new technologies, such as electric vehicles, electric and natural gas safety, and sustainable energy.
Arbor Day
Shorewood Hills Elementary School students stood for a photo to commemorate the 2017 tree-planting event with MGE in celebration of Arbor Day. MGE's Dave Benforado and Cathy Brodbeck (far right) helped to coordinate the event.
Arbor Day is an annual celebration for MGE and the kids at Shorewood Hills Elementary School. The yearly tree-planting event is part of the village's Arbor Day observance.
MGE helps to purchase the trees planted by the students. MGE Construction and Operations Coordinator Cathy Brodbeck helps to coordinate the event every year.
In addition to the students and MGE, the Village of Shorewood Hills Forester and Hooper Corporation line clearance employees help with the tree planting. We're thankful for the partnerships that help to make this annual educational event and fun community celebration happen.
Promoting Community Wellness
Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association founder Aaron Perry teamed up with the owner of a barbershop on Madison's west side to bring health information to men from communities of color.
As a community partner, MGE supports efforts to make much-needed resources, like health and wellness information, accessible to those who need it. One example is the Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association, a men's health initiative run out of a barbershop on Madison's west side. With a large grant from SSM Health and funding from MGE, founder Aaron Perry partnered with barbershop owner Jeff "JP" Patterson to bring health information to men from communities of color. The creative partnership garnered a national audience when it was featured on a national network morning program in November 2017.
Fostering Sustainability
Hundreds gathered for Sustain Dane's annual conference, which is cosponsored by MGE and honors local individuals whose sustainability efforts serve to create a "strong community, just economy, and healthy planet." Photo courtesy Sustain Dane
Sustain Dane's website reads, "We believe that change happens when inspired people take action." Sustain Dane's commitment to promoting sustainability throughout our community has long inspired MGE to partner with this local organization in support of their many efforts, such as Badger Bioneers.
The theme for the 2017 conference was "Human(ity)," and it served as an opportunity to celebrate diversity in humanity and in thought while also serving as a forum to bring together people seeking to impact our community in positive ways.
MGE also works with Sustain Dane on its MPower Business Champions program, a nationally recognized model for collaborating with local businesses and others to reduce carbon and advance sustainable practices.
Mentoring Youth
Will Green, founder of Mentoring Positives, honored Linda Ketcham, Director of the Madison Area Urban Ministry, for her strong support and collaborative work with his Madison-based mentoring program. Photo courtesy Hedi LaMarr Photography
In 2004, local resident Will Green founded Mentoring Positives, Inc., an organization dedicated to mentoring our area's youth and building up their families. The mission was inspired by the example of Will's own mother, a single parent committed to supporting her three sons.
Mentoring Positives serves as a referral-based resource in Madison's Darbo-Worthington neighborhood where Will and his staff work to guide elementary through high school students toward a successful path in life.
MGE is proud to support the organization and cosponsor its annual fundraiser at which Linda Ketcham, Director of the Madison Area Urban Ministry (MUM), was honored for her support of Mentoring Positives. MUM, another local nonprofit, offers a range of services for individuals and families impacted by the criminal justice system.