When organizers at the Killona Community Center realized they may be short on Christmas gifts this year for children in the community, they knew just where to look for help – their neighbors at Entergy Waterford 3.
Joan Diaz, director of Community Services for St. Charles Parish, reached out to the plant for help when she realized some of the children that attended the center may not have a Christmas gift this year because their parents were experiencing additional financial strain from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Waterford 3’s new site Vice President John Ferrick, along with site leadership and the plant’s team, made sure the additional 18 needed Christmas gifts were placed under the center’s Christmas tree moments before the children arrived for their annual Christmas party.
“Entergy has long been a supporter in the communities in which we operate and serve, and the Waterford 3 team and the site exemplifies that,” Ferrick said. “The culture of giving at the site is really strong, and I have just been blown away by our team in the short time I have been down here.”
He said he and his team were really excited to help the Killona Community Center.
“They are practically our next-door neighbor and we are hoping that this act of giving makes the holiday season a little bit brighter for the kids and the community overall,” Ferrick said. “And personally speaking, I am looking forward to joining the community as a new resident of St. Charles Parish.”
The Killona Community Center services at-risk youth and also offers adult programming, life skills classes, summer enrichment, after-school homework help and a library outreach program.
“The Killona Community Center is very blessed to have Waterford 3 as a community partner,” Diaz said. “Their generosity and compassion for the youth at the Killona Community Center has a tremendous impact on their lives.”
Matthew Lewis, general manager of plant operations at Waterford 3, said the entire Entergy team was thrilled to donate the gifts.
“We know it makes a difference and we know it’s appreciated,” he said. “We get a real kick out of doing it also for the kids. It brings joy between both our team and the community.”
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