PECO has announced that it is establishing a $250,000 recovery fund to provide further relief efforts to communities affected by Tropical Storm Ida.

As part of the effort, PECO, and Exelon — its parent company — will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania and Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia for essential supplies, overnight shelter stays and first aid needs; an additional $100,000 will go directly to organizations across Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties providing temporary housing, food and supplies, and financial assistance to individuals and families; and the remaining funds with be allocated to other counties and community partners on an as needed basic.

The organizations that will receive the funding are as follows:

1. Bucks County: United Way of Bucks County; Bucks County Opportunity Council; Bucks County Hero Scholarship Fund 
2. Chester County: Brandywine Health Foundation Healthcare & Economic Relief Fund in Coatesville; Chester County Food Bank; Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s Emergency Relief Fund
3. Montgomery County: Montgomery County Emergency Fund; Horsham Community Center; Barren Hill Fire Company; Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
4. Philadelphia: Schuylkill River Development Corporation; Manayunk Small Business Fund; Fairmount Rowing Association, for Boathouse Row cleanup 

“Supporting our customers and the communities we serve is one of PECO’s most important responsibilities,” said Mike Innocenzo, PECO president and CEO, in a press release. “With the $250,000 provided by PECO’s Recovery Fund, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Salvation Army, and counties can assist more individuals and families throughout the Greater Philadelphia region with the essentials needed to not only persevere but recover.”

Since the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida, the Red Cross has provided more than 250 overnight shelter stays, distributed nearly 2,100 relief supplies and served more than 3,500 meals and snacks to various Pennsylvania counties. 

Red Cross disaster workers have also provided care and comfort to over 850 impacted individuals. 

“Tropical Storm Ida devastated communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and we’ve helped thousands of hard-hit residents in their darkest hours,” said Guy Triano, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Powered by the generosity of PECO, dedicated Red Cross volunteers and employees are still working around the clock to deliver relief to survivors of Tropical Storm Ida.

The Salvation Army has also taken part in the ongoing relief efforts, deploying 12 mobile feeding units from Philadelphia to State College, Pennsylvania. It serves meals in four shelters across the Delaware Valley, providing 150-200 meals per seating, along with cleaning supplies to some of the hardest-hit areas.

“This generous donation from PECO will allow us to serve more of our neighbors in need,” said Luke Rodgers, Divisional Emergency Disaster Service Director at the Salvation Army.

In addition to the financial contributions, PECO employees are also helping to clean up the region’s public green spaces that were severely damaged.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, PECO employee volunteers assisted with a campus cleanup at Brandywine Conservancy in Chadds Ford, and on Friday, Sept. 24, PECO’s Electric Ops team members will provide volunteers for the Schuylkill River Development Corporation’s post-Tropical Storm Ida cleanup efforts.