We serve Ohioans in 61 counties, and we care about them and their communities — these are our hometowns, too, after all. We give back not only financially but by rolling up our sleeves, whether it’s volunteering at a local food pantry or helping a town string up their Christmas lights. We’re there for our customers and the communities we serve. Read on for a few ways we’ve shown up for our customers and the communities we serve ’over the past few weeks.
Northeast Ohio
The AEP Ohio Foundation presented a $15,000 grant to the Sycamore Youth Center, which provides after-school programming and food distribution for more than 400 students in the Steubenville area. “We are incredibly grateful for this generosity. Thank you, AEP,” the center posted on Facebook.
A dozen AEP Ohio employees volunteered at the United Way of Jefferson County Meals of Hope event. Together, they successfully packaged 39,000 freeze-dried meals to be distributed to local food pantries! “As a proud sponsor of this initiative, AEP Ohio demonstrated our commitment to community service and support for those in need. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and effort to make this event a success,” said Business Services Account Manager Frank Baldwin. Watch the local TV coverage here and read more at The Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register.
AEP Ohio was proud to sponsor this year’s Light Up Downtown event in Canton. The celebration featured free activities for all ages, including sleigh rides, live entertainment, local performers, refreshments, live reindeer and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The evening began with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Central Plaza and concluded with a fireworks display. “We value opportunities like this to connect with the community and support events that bring people together,” said Business Services Account Manager Kelly Haer.
Compassion Delivered is a nonprofit organization based in North Canton, OH, dedicated to providing free, nutritious meals to individuals battling life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Since its inception in 2017, Compassion Delivered has provided over 80,000 meals, including 20,000 meals in 2025 alone. Recently, the AEP Foundation awarded $5,000 to support their food education initiatives, furthering their impact on community health and wellness.
The AEP Ohio Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to the Tuscarawas County University Foundation, which will be used to purchase five Youth STEM Education Learning Kits at Kent State. “The Tuscarawas County University Foundation is dedicated to attracting and retaining exceptional students while enhancing facilities and equipment at Kent State Tuscarawas,” said Business Services Account Manager Chase Hostetler. “Its mission encompasses supporting the university, funding long-term capital improvements, promoting higher education in Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas and financing various projects at the institution.”
Central Ohio
AEP Ohio was a proud sponsor of the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Bexley.
North Ohio
Our Kenton Service Center participated in the 2025 Kenton Lions Club: Ohio’s Biggest Small Town Christmas Parade, and AEP Ohio sponsored Santa’s horse-drawn carriage during the event.
Southern Ohio
We also had a crew in the Marietta Christmas Parade. “We had a wonderful time, and the line workers were able to bring their families along! The kids had a blast handing out candy canes,” said Business Services Account Manager Andrea Whaley.
AEP Ohio employees presented a $10,000 grant for the non-profit group, “God’s Hands At Work,” in Bidwell, Ohio. The group posted on its Facebook page, “We are very grateful for this precious gift that will enable us to continue to feed our neighbors experiencing food insecurity well into the coming year. What a blessing this is! 
Thank you, AEP.”
A decades-old holiday tradition kicked off with the Portsmouth Jaycees Christmas Parade. AEP Ohio employees from the Lucasville Service Center joined in the celebration, spreading holiday cheer and lighting up the streets with smiles, peppermint candy and a special guest — Louie the Lightning Bug! This was Louie’s first visit to Scioto County.
