PPL Corp. was honored Thursday (5/25) by the Allentown School District as the first recipient of the District's "Outstanding Volunteer Team Award."

PPL's partnership with the Allentown School District began in 1991 when PPL employees became volunteers at the Cleveland Elementary School through the Koalaty Kids program. Since then, the volunteer partnership has been expanded to include the Central, Cleveland and Lehigh Parkway elementary schools and the Lincoln Early Childhood School. PPL and Allentown School District also have a unique partnership to create and maintain the Mosser Woods environmental outdoor classroom at the Mosser school. Today, more than 120 PPL employees volunteer in the school district.

"We are pleased to recognize PPL, which was nominated for this award by a number of our schools," said Dr. Diane Scott, Allentown School District superintendent. "For many years, PPL volunteers have given their time, resources, experiences, wisdom and emotions to help our children and staff. Their dedication to our schools is unmatched."

The majority of the PPL volunteers spend one hour each week during the school day giving students special assistance in reading, math, science and social studies. Volunteers also have organized book and clothing drives for the two elementary schools and assisted in after-school programs.

"Academically, PPL volunteers have given educators the opportunity to reach more students," Scott said. "They have helped give every student with whom they work a greater opportunity to learn and be successful. Allentown School District thanks not only the PPL volunteers, but also corporate management for their dedication to our schools."

"We are pleased that our employee volunteers and the company have received this recognition from Allentown School District," said Luis A. Ramos, PPL's manager of community affairs. "As a company, we are committed to economic and community development initiatives, educational partnerships and volunteerism to build stronger communities in the areas in which we do business nationally and internationally.

"Through PPL's Community of Volunteers program, we donate thousands of hours to work with schools to increase student learning and improve teacher effectiveness."