BWL’s 1st annual Pennies for Power
fundraiser to assist struggling families
Michigan wines and mid-Michigan micro-brewed beers will highlight a
March 4 fundraiser hosted by the Lansing Board of Water & Light, with
proceeds going to help deserving Lansing-area families.
The first annual Pennies for Power Wine, Beer and Cheese tasting event
will augment the BWL’s existing Pennies for Power program, which assists
hundreds of area families struggling to pay their utility bills.
“Each year, the generosity of our customers enables us to provide
thousands of dollars for those in need,” said General Manager J. Peter Lark.
“In these challenging economic times, we believe it is necessary to do more
for our less fortunate customers. That is the genesis of our Pennies for Power
fundraiser.”
In partnership with Capital Area Community Services and Impression 5
Science Center (I-5), the BWL has invited Michigan’s premier vineyards to
the event, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at I-5, 200 Museum
Drive, Lansing. Tickets are $35 each or four for $100. Each ticketholder will
receive a complimentary wine glass embossed with a special logo marking
the BWL’s 125th anniversary.
All proceeds will go to the Pennies for Power fund.
Wines from the following wineries will be served: Chateau Grand
Traverse, Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery and Burdgorf’s Winery.
Additionally, beers from the Michigan Brewing Co. can be sampled.
Special invited guests include Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, Michigan
State University Golf Coach Sam Puryear and Capital Area Community
Services Director Ivan Love.
The fundraiser will also feature a silent auction. Auction items include
basketballs autographed by MSU Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo, “date
night” packages and tickets to Rogers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” at
the Wharton Center.
Tickets can be purchased at the BWL Customer Service Center, 1232
Haco Drive or at Impresssion 5 Science Center during business hours. Cash
or checks are accepted. Tickets are also available at the door.
Tickets can also be purchased online. Go to the BWL Website,
www.lbwl.com and click on Pennies for Power 1st Annual Wine, Beer &
Cheese Tasting.
BWL customers will also find a convenient way to buy tickets by
checking a box on their payment stub and mailing it with their BWL bill.
Finally, tickets can be purchased by calling the BWL at (517) 702-6006.
Customers who are unable to attend can still help area families by
signing up for Pennies for Power online, or by checking a box on their
monthly bill.
Each year, BWL customers contribute nearly $40,000 to Pennies for
Power.
Pennies for Power works this way:
Customers allow the BWL to “round up” their monthly utility bill to the
next whole dollar. The difference between the actual bill and the whole
dollar amount is placed in the Pennies for Power fund.
Pennies for Power is administered by Capital Area Community
Services, which screens applicants to determine need. No administrative fees
are taken from Pennies for Power funds, so every dollar contributed goes to
provide utility shut-off protection.
A customer’s annual contribution is included in the January BWL bill.
The contributions are tax deductible.
