Congratulations to the Kissimmee Utility Authority for being awarded the2018 Building Strong Communities Award by the Florida Municipal Electric Association for the its strong commitment to addressing community needs during the past year. Thirteen other utilities were also honored statewide.

FMEA executive director Amy Zubaly presented the award to KUA during ceremonies held on Wednesday Oct. 24 at the association’s Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show in Kissimmee.

Each year the FMEA award presents the Building Strong Communities Award to utilities that enhance the quality of life in their communities through activities that address community needs and improve the area’s social, cultural, educational and economic environment.

“Being a part of the community is about more than making sure the lights are on,” said Zubaly. “The recipients of the 2018 FMEA Building Strong Communities Awards excel in not only taking an interest in seeing their communities succeed, but also actively working toward making them better places to live and building strong communities.”

In the past year, KUA supported nearly 100 community organizations and activities that impacted a combined 250,000 residents. Notable projects included:

• daily employee delivery of meals to homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels
• distribution of 70,000 free hurricane preparedness guides
• sponsorship of the first Puerto Rican cultural parade through downtown Kissimmee
• funding of Osceola County Library System’s Prime Time family reading program
• hosting of six community blood drives
• funding of five college scholarships for local high school students
• support of Thanksgiving meals for homeless military veterans
• participation in holiday toy drives for children in need
• packing of 20,000 meals by employees to aid the most vulnerable in our community and abroad

“Partnering with the community is a core value of our organization and part of our mission statement,” said KUA president and general manager Jim Welsh. “I am thrilled that KUA has again received statewide recognition for its work in the local community.”