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Southeast Gas recently announced its 2023 Give Back to Schools contribution of $137,000 to 20 public school systems in Alabama.

Covington County Schools received more than $12,000 which will be used to assist Boys State participants and help fund the track programs at Pleasant Home, Red Level, Straughn, and Florala High Schools. Andalusia City Schools received more than $10,000 which will be used for classroom instruction and funding for female athletic facility improvements.

To date, local public schools received more than $1.7 million through the Give Back to Schools initiative and the more natural gas a school system uses, the more dollars that system receives. This program was established by Southeast Gas and its Board of Directors in 2010 and provides dollars to public schools based solely on their natural gas usage for the previous year.

Board members work alongside Superintendents in each school system to determine the best way for funds to be allocated. “As a former educator, I understand the value of our school systems and the impact our local teachers, staff, and administrators make on students and the community,” said Southeast Gas Board Chair and Andalusia City Councilman Kennith Mount. “Much of our funding this year is allocated to technology advancements and enhancements for our schools. Our goal with this program is to come alongside our schools as a partner and give leadership for each system the flexibility to use the funds where they are most needed.”

The Give Back to Schools initiative is just one way Southeast Gas is committed to building stronger communities. Southeast Gas President and CEO Greg Henderson says the company’s commitment to serve reaches well beyond these contributions, though. “With a foundation of service, our Board and employees meet needs in ways I could never imagine. Sometimes that looks like physically spending time helping schools improve their athletic facilities. Other times it looks like volunteering side-by-side with students as they explore potential careers in the natural gas industry. And, then there are the days like these when we’re making financial investments in our schools.”

Local schools are a critical component to community success. Southeast Gas also sponsors the Southeast Gas Community Service Scholarship, a competitive scholarship program for high school seniors attending public schools currently served by Southeast Gas. The scholarships are $1,500, and multiple scholarships are awarded each year. Last year 23 students received 2022 Community Service Scholarship.

School systems impacted by the Southeast Gas Give Back to Schools initiative are: Andalusia City Schools, Butler County Schools, Coffee County Schools, Covington County Schools, Crenshaw County Schools, Dale County Schools, Daleville City Schools, Dothan City Schools, Elba City Schools, Enterprise City Schools, Eufaula City Schools, Henry County Schools, Houston County Schools, Lowndes County Schools, Opp City Schools, Ozark City Schools, Pike County Schools, Pike Road Schools, Russell County Schools and Troy City Schools.

In addition to the direct financial support Southeast Gas provides to these schools, Southeast Gas employees volunteer dozens of hours each year to improve many of the campuses through construction assistance, landscaping, painting, gas appliance maintenance, light carpentry, tutoring, mentoring and many other activities.

Southeast Gas provides natural gas service to 36 communities throughout Southeast Alabama, and is owned by 14 cities – Abbeville, Andalusia, Brundidge, Dothan, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Fort Deposit, Greenville, Headland, Luverne, Opp, Ozark and Troy.