CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Dec. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ITC Midwest and its 101 employees donated more than $133 thousand to 16 charitable organizations in Iowa and Minnesota in 2016. ITC, the nation's largest independent electricity transmission company, provides donations to nonprofits that align with ITC's charitable interests and strengthen communities.
Highlighting ITC's donations in Iowa was Urbandale-based Make-A-Wish® Iowa, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Iowa chapter's foundation has granted wishes to more than 3,000 children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1987 and currently grants a wish in Iowa about every other day. This is the fifth year that ITC Midwest has partnered with Make-A-Wish, contributing funds donated by employees during the annual employee picnic. Through ITC donations this year, Make-A-Wish was able to fund a trip this month for a Wish Child and her family to participate on a Disney Cruise Line® cruise.
"Partnerships like these allow us to provide an avenue for our wish kids and their families to escape the challenges of living with a life-threatening medical condition daily," said Chris Voggesser, chief executive officer and president of Make-A-Wish Iowa. "We can't thank ITC enough for their commitment to our mission and through the employee's efforts we all are able to 'Share in the Power of a Wish!'"
Click here to view a video about ITC's partnership with Make-A-Wish Iowa.
ITC this past year also helped support Strands of Strength, providing wigs free of charge to women suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment. The wigs offered by Strands of Strength disguise hair loss to decrease feelings of vulnerability and provide greater self-esteem, resulting in the personal strength needed to successfully battle the disease.
"It's companies like ITC that really have taken Strands of Strength from a vision to the reality," said Deb Pulver, founder, Strands of Strength. "Today as we continue to help hundreds of women right in our hometowns with their fight against cancer, we are grateful for ITC's support and generosity!"
In addition, ITC presented charitable grants to the following Iowa and Minnesota-based organizations:
- Community Theater of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Iowa Co. Pheasants Forever, Williamsburg, Iowa
- Iowa State University Cerro Cordo Co. Extension Office, Mason City, Iowa
- Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) veterans program, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- American Heart Association, Des Moines, Iowa
- Bur Oak Land Trust, Iowa City, Iowa
- Francis Lauer Youth Services, Mason City, Iowa
- Grant Wood Mississippi River Region, Dubuque, Iowa
- Especially For You, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Toys for Tots, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Ottumwa Schools Coding Clubs – Ottumwa, Iowa
- Wright Elementary - Family STEAM Night – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Jackson United Fund, Jackson, Minn.
"As a member of the community in Iowa and Minnesota, we have a responsibility support the programs that are important to our neighbors," said Krista Tanner, president, ITC Midwest. "ITC Midwest and our generous employees place a great deal of importance on being actively involved in the communities we serve and supporting the organizations that make the Midwest a great place to live and work."
ITC has donated more than $5.2 million to deserving nonprofits throughout its footprint since 2010, including organizations in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Through its charitable giving activities, ITC awards grants to qualified 501 (c) (3) organizations focused on social services, education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, and arts and culture that deliver charitable services in the counties where ITC operates. Sources of ITC's contributions include special grants, executive donations, employee charitable outings and casual dress days. For more information about ITC's charitable giving program or to apply for a grant, visit http://www.itc-holdings.com/community-approach/philanthropy.
About ITC Midwest
ITC Midwest, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation's largest independent electricity transmission company. The company operates more than 6,600 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri, and holds utility status in Wisconsin. ITC Midwest is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and maintains regional operating facilities in Dubuque, Iowa City and Perry, Iowa; and Albert Lea and Lakefield, Minnesota. ITC's focus on transmission and grid expansion drives operational excellence and delivers superior value for customers, communities and other stakeholders.
About ITC Holdings Corp.
ITC, a Fortis company, is the largest independent electric transmission company in the United States. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems and lower the overall cost of delivered energy. Through its regulated operating subsidiaries ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along approximately 15,800 circuit miles of transmission line with 660 employees and nearly 1,000 contractors across its seven state footprint. ITC's grid development focus includes growth through regulated infrastructure investment as well as domestic and international expansion through merchant and other commercial development opportunities. ITC Holdings Corp. common shares are owned 80.1% by Fortis Inc. and 19.9% by GIC Private Limited. Additional information can be accessed at www.itc-holdings.com.
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SOURCE ITC Midwest
