PP&L, Inc. will celebrate the achievements of 1,400 employee volunteers from within its company and affiliates at its seventh Annual Volunteer Conference Tuesday (5/4) at 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Grantville. Reporters and photographers are welcome.

Conference speakers include the First Lady of Pennsylvania, Michele Ridge, and Della Clark from the West Philadelphia Enterprise Center.

In addition to honoring volunteers' efforts during 1998, the conference aims to instill enthusiasm among employees of PP&L, Inc. and its affiliates, so they can meet the challenges of the coming year.

Participants will hear from corporate and community leaders about the importance of volunteering in communities and celebrating the success of PP&L, Inc.'s employee volunteer program. In addition to Ridge and Clark, keynote speakers include: William F. Hecht, PP&L Resources chairman, president and chief executive officer; Frank Long, executive vice president and chief operating officer of PP&L, Inc.; representatives from PP&L, Inc. affiliates H. T. Lyons, Inc., McCarl's Inc., McClure Company and Penn Fuel Gas, Inc.; Hal LeFever, Warwick High School; and representatives from PP&L, Inc.'s nature and recreation areas.

In 1998, 1,400 PP&L, Inc. employees volunteered in various community activities, contributing about 173,000 hours. Their efforts are coordinated through PP&L, Inc.'s Community of Volunteers. Employee volunteer activities include tutoring and mentoring of students in schools throughout PP&L, Inc.'s service area; numerous United Way campaigns, including campaign chairmanships; a variety of fund-raising activities; and numerous environmental programs.