NIPSCO Presents 2014 Luminary Awards

State and local dignitaries, community leaders, NIPSCO staff, and award honorees were among the estimated 200 guests attending the 2014 NIPSCO Luminary Awards event on Thursday evening. Hosted by NIPSCO, the gala was held at their Merrillville headquarters.

The Luminary Awards began in 2012, in celebration of NIPSCO's 100th anniversary. The awards were designed to honor individuals or groups that have demonstrated outstanding commitment in strengthening local communities in the following areas: Community Leadership, Emergency Response, Education, Environment, and Economic Development.

Along with the recognition and plaque, $1,000 was donated to each recipient's charity of choice. This year's event also celebrated the culmination of their 2014 Charity of Choice Campaign. Selected by a survey of the employees based on what charity means most to them, the 2014 winner was Veteran's causes, which includes Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, and other local veterans groups across the 32 counties served by the company.

The employees held raffles, picnics, car washes, hog roasts, and contests throughout the year to raise funds for the campaign. The goal for 2014 was $75,000. Because of the hard work and tireless effort by the employees, not only did they reach the goal, they surpassed it by a whopping $25,000!

"We could not be more proud of our employees and how giving they are," said Kathleen Szot, NIPSCO Senior Manager, Customer Marketing and Communications.

"The fundraising efforts for the Charity of Choice begins with a spring kick-off," added Nick Meyer, NIPSCO Director of Communications. "There is an untapped resource for wanting to support the community. We're just providing an outlet for employees to become more involved."

"It's a great evening and I'm so pleased that the employees of NIPSCO took their time, their effort, and their work product to raise $100,000 to help others, and in this case, veterans who need that assistance." shared Congressman Peter J. Visclosky, 1st Congressional District. "It makes all of us proud of the employees of NIPSCO, and proud to live in the same community with them."

"This is a special occasion for us to come together to honor five community members." Szot added. "NIPSCO has been a part of the Northern Indiana since 1912 and it wouldn't be without local leaders and community members that we would be around and successful. The awards cover all the areas that we feel are important to our community."

According to Jennifer Moench, Executive Director, NiSource Charitable Foundation, the event took about two months to plan.

"We're celebrating local leaders for what they do to give back to the local communities across the northern third of the state," she said.

In a festive, patriotic themed atmosphere, arriving guests were served an array of delicious Hors D'oeuvres as they mingled and awaited for the ceremony to commence.

Opening remarks and a welcome by NIPSCO CEO, Jim Stanley, began the evening. Following Stanley's address, Kathleen O'Leary, NIPSCO's President, was welcomed to the stage to begin the presentations of the Luminary Awards.

The first award of the evening was the Education Award, presented to Michigan City Area Schools. The Environmental Stewardship Award followed and was presented to South Shore Clean Cities, Inc.

The Economic Development Award followed, and John Davies, Jr., Managing Director of the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana, was the recipient. Up next would be the Emergency Response Award. Before the award was presented, a short video was shown reminding everyone of the devastating effects of the two tornadoes that ripped through the city of Kokomo earlier this year. Because of the swift response and incredible work of their emergency response team, there was no loss of life. Therefore, the City of Kokomo was the recipient of the Emergency Response Award.

Greg Goodnight, Mayor of Kokomo, was pleased to be recognized for all the hard work and dedication and ability of his city to pull together during a very difficult time.

"I'm proud that we were recognized for taking a difficult and somewhat dangerous situation and had zero fatalities and no serious injuries," he said. "I remember the situation vividly. 35 people sought medical treatment and only 5 were admitted to the hospital. I think our public and our public safety team did a great job! We are very grateful to NIPSCO for this award and for recognizing our community. It's just an honor to be the person to accept the award on behalf of our city."

Proceeding the Emergency Response award, Indiana State Senator Jim Arnold was welcomed to the stage. He spoke of his honor and gratitude to the veterans and to all those who continue to serve our country. He also spoke of his appreciation of the employees of NIPSCO and their efforts in raising funds to benefit and honor the veterans.

Following completion of the Luminary Awards, the Charity of Choice presentation was held. Members of various veterans organizations were on hand to accept the award including Michael Sparber, Chairman NWI Veterans Action Council. Sparber and Dan Klein, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity, spoke of the partnership of the two institutions to benefit veterans through the first annual Veterans Build and the Annual Veterans Breakfast and were honored to be recognized for said partnership and were grateful to NIPSCO/NiSource for their contributions.

"We hope we can influence other not for profit organizations to partner with people to work together to better life in Northwest Indiana." said Klein.

The final award of the evening, the Community Leadership Award was presented, which went to Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas. Costas was recognized for his outstanding leadership of the city of Valparaiso and for his vision for our community.

"It's a real honor for me to receive this award for community leadership on behalf of the city of Valparaiso," Costas said. "I feel especially fortunate to have been given the opportunity to do some innovative things for the city and for the citizens that have allowed us to do that. We have a great team, so I accept it on behalf of the team, the leadership team and all the men and women who work so hard for the city. Our commitment is to bring about innovative change that our citizens want. I feel a bit like an imposter getting an award like this. I'm successful because of the men and women who support our efforts here in the city and so I received the award on behalf of them."

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