Serving our customers means more than just providing reliable, high-quality and competitively priced utility services. It means caring for our community.

Our employees generously share their time, talents and resources with many community agencies. Employees participate in the annual United Way campaign and Community Connection, Tacoma Public Utilities' employee volunteer program. For more than 25 years, our employees have been a part of a strong tradition of giving back to the community through Community Connection, choosing projects that improve the quality of life for the people we serve, especially children and senior citizens.

Through Community Connection we aim to use our unique resources to address some of the most critical needs in our community. Our program strives to foster a positive volunteerism spirit at Tacoma Public Utilities and to be a leader in social responsibility.

TPU employees volunteered more than 2,000 hours through Community Connection events in 2009. Below are a few examples of how TPU's employees continue to make a difference.

• More than 350 employees, family members and friends came out to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound at the annual Bowl-a-Thon. The event raised more than $20,000 in 2009.

• Employees donated more than $203,000 through pledges and special events for United Way’s 2009 campaign. TPU's United Way campaign leadership team won the United Way's Volunteer of the Year award for their creativity in 2008.

• 180 volunteers helped produce a carnival-like atmosphere at the annual Special Olympics of Washingon Summer Games. Tacoma Power sponsors Olympic Town-Soccer each year during the Summer Games at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Athletes eagerly look forward to activities, including riding in a Tacoma Power bucket truck.

• Bake sales and other employee events raised more than $3,900 for TPU's Senior Assistance Fund. The fund was created by employees to grant one-time, $100 utility bill payments to eligible low-income senior customers in need.

• Employees participated in the Salvation Army Giving Tree. Employees purchased gifts for more than 250 children and seniors in 2009.

Interested in starting a program like Community Connection? We can help. Tacoma Public Utilities is interested in connecting individuals and organizations in philanthropic work around the Tacoma-Pierce County area. If we can help you get a program going or if you’re interested in partnering with us on a project, contact Erika Tucci, at 253.502.8225.