Amid media reports of “donor fatigue” this holiday season, PacifiCorp employees have rallied to contribute $872,000 to nonprofits that assist with health, education, the environment and hurricane relief. A match by the company’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, boosted the total contribution to $1.6 million.

PacifiCorp serves customers in Oregon, Washington and California as Pacific Power; and customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho as Utah Power.

“It’s the most we’ve ever done,” said Judi Johansen, President and CEO of PacifiCorp. “The generosity of our employees is inspiring, especially given how urgent the need is in so many of our communities. Plus, the amount our folks have been able to raise to help the victims of the Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is nothing short of amazing.”

Employees of Pacific Power and Utah Power donated $608,133 to the company’s giving campaign, which distributes donations to local United Way campaigns, as well as education, environmental, cultural and community nonprofits.

Employees also dug deep to contribute $106,419 to help the victims of the tsunami that hit South and Southeast Asia, as well as another $157,967 for those in the Gulf States impacted by the 2005 hurricane season. The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning added more than $200,000 to match employee contributions.

“With Pacific Power’s generosity, more people were able to receive immediate assistance through the American Red Cross,” said Mary Loftin, executive director of the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter. “Not only did families living in the affected areas receive Red Cross support, but also hurricane evacuees who relocated to the Pacific Northwest to recover and rebuild their lives.”

In addition, PacifiCorp recently made a $500,000 donation to the hurricane relief effort. The contribution was divided among several relief agencies in the six states in which PacifiCorp operates. The funds come from shareholders and were not absorbed by rate-paying customers.

“More people were able to receive needed assistance through the American Red Cross following the major natural disasters that took place this year thanks to the generosity of Utah Power and its employees,” said Mariann Geyer, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter American Red Cross CEO. “Utah Power has also been an important contributor to our ‘I Can Save A Life’ CPR and first-aid training campaign as well as other American Red Cross programs through employee giving.”

“It’s exciting to see what our employees have done,” said Megan Brown, Pacific Power’s volunteer coordinator. “When we recently presented a $12,000 check to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children in Portland), the grateful look on their faces made all the effort worthwhile.”

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