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12/19/2024

We have all experienced what it means when someone stands by us in times of need. Knowing this, times are difficult for some in this season of good news – some need a tangible sign that someone cares.

This sign can look like many things – a kind word, a helping hand, or an offer to share the burden of basic care.

That’s the heart of Entergy’s “The Power to Care” program, created nearly 30 years ago to give employees the opportunity to support our neighbors in need – older adults or people with disabilities who are struggling with their utility bills cannot afford.

“When an employee says, ‘We want to raise money for The Power to Care,’ it shows they care about our customers,” said Elizabeth Brister, Entergy director of corporate social responsibility. “Not only does it keep the lights on for customers, but it allows them to use their money to buy groceries or medicine because we help pay their electric bill.”

“The money we raise is an important safety net and even a lifeline for some of our most vulnerable customers.”

And while nuclear industry employees have always been deeply committed to the cause, this year’s effort was bolstered by the efforts of a core team of employees who came together to raise more dollars than ever before.

“I wanted to find a way to do something good for our community this year because it directly supports our goal of making our customers more successful,” said Mike Spustack, director of fleet projects for Entergy Nuclear and event organizer. “And then in the same spirit, I wanted to try to find a way to engage the people in the nuclear headquarters building and motivate them to do something together.”

And it’s all through pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports in America.

“We’ve been doing all kinds of fundraisers in the operating companies for years,” Brister said. “Many bring in six-figure sums, but it has taken decades for them to reach that level. Mike raised over $53,000 in his pickleball tournament on his first try. If it was a baseball tournament, I’d say it’s a home run.”

In fact, the tournament amounted to a Grand Slam when Entergy provided the same funding, doubling the impact of Spustack’s efforts. Each year, The Power to Care matches all employee donations made through payroll deductions 1:1 with no cap and matches other funds raised from customers up to $500,000.

“What Mike did is amazing,” Brister continued, “but it also says a lot about the other nuclear people because they were the ones who supported his cause.”

This grassroots initiative, Spustack said, was led by “dozens of unnamed individuals who were truly the ones who made this event a success.”

“Of all the things we support, this cause goes to the core of what we do as a company,” he said. “It helps keep our most vulnerable customers connected to life-giving energy.”

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