About 20 Pennsylvania Power & ight Co. employees in the Scranton area will participate in Thursday's (9/12) United Way Day of Caring.

The Day of Caring is an annual event that offers volunteers and donors the opportunity to spend the day performing tasks at United Way agencies. Participants get hands-on experience in efforts that help agencies provide more effective services to people in need. The event also marks the official kick-off for the United Way giving campaign.

"The first step is to learn about the many United Way agencies and how they provide vital services to people in our communities," said Rich Beasley, PP&L community development director in the Scranton area. "The Day of Caring is an excellent way for our employees to learn how important United Way is to our communities.

"At PP&L, we have always taken our obligation to our communities and our employee contributions to the United Way very seriously," Beasley said. "New this year is PP&L's Corporate Challenge. Under the pilot program, the company will match dollar-for-dollar every increase in employee giving. If employees choose to designate an agency to receive their increased donation, the PP&L matching money will follow that designation."

Area agencies being helped by PP&L employees in this year's Day of Caring include Lackawanna County Health Care Center, Mountain Rest Nursing Home and Family Service of Lackawanna County.

Activities will include indoor painting and assisting the staff and patients.

Since 1991, PP&L and its employees have contributed more than $5.8 million to 34 United Ways in 29 counties.