
Bright Lights grants awarded to community advocates, nonprofit agencies
In recognition of PPL’s 100th anniversary, the PPL Foundation awarded a $100,000 in special grants to help illuminate the outstanding contributions of individuals working in the nonprofit sector. Ten Bright Lights grants of $10,000 were awarded in recognition of the honorees to the nonprofit agencies they support.

Park revitalization brings a community together
The shrieks from kids racing down the slide, the laughter of grandparents playing with their grandchildren, the crack of a bat connecting with a fastball as the crowd cheers. These are the sounds that echo throughout Veterans Memorial Park in Newport, Pennsylvania. Just a couple of years ago, this park wasn’t so lively.

Farming project cultivates young leaders
For many kids, summer vacation is a chance to kick back, relax and take a break. For the youths who spend their summer working at the LEAF Project, this is their time to get up early, work hard and bloom into the leaders of tomorrow.

Lancaster nonprofit puts people on road to success
To a mother of three who works part time and attends college on a full-time basis, a reliable vehicle is crucial. So when Katrina Smith’s Dodge Caravan hit 260,000-plus miles and repair bills were piling up, it was time to figure out a way to get to work and classes (and get her children to where they needed to go) without breaking the bank.

Students showcase stem skills at school-wide fair
Every teacher probably dreams of having an extra eye to keep watch over her students. So it’s no surprise that among the 50 science and technology projects students created for Pocono Mountain East High School’s first STEM Fair, the 3D animatronic working eye was Heather Aulisio’s favorite.

Roller coaster challenge thrills eighth-graders
Lori Cirucci teacher and science content leader at Broughal Middle School uses PPL Empowering Educator grant to launch Roller Coaster curriculum to give students a hands-on lesson on kinetic energy and the forces of motion. Lori Cirucci, a teacher and science content leader at Broughal Middle School, designed the Roller Coaster curriculum to give students a hands-on lesson on kinetic energy and the forces of motion.

Students learn happily ever after with fairy-tale stem lessons
The Three Little Pigs, the Three Billy Goats Gruff and Rapunzel aren’t just familiar figures from fairy tales. They’re helping first-graders learn about science and math, too. Lynette Miller, a teacher at Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School in Juniata County, is using fairy tale-themed kits that teach basic science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts.

PPL Foundation supports group that helps thousands learn English, earn diplomas
The Literacy Center in Allentown has helped more than 28,000 people learn and refine their English-speaking skills, earn high school equivalency diplomas and improve their job prospects.

Mobile STEM lab brings future in focus for girls
A bright future in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) is closer than ever for girls in central Pennsylvania, thanks to a new mobile stem lab from the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA).

Two wheels lead inner city kids on a path of discovery and opportunity.
For many kids a bike means freedom – transportation to the pool on a hot day or to a friend’s house to shoot some hoops. But for the inner city kids who participate in Community Bike Works’ Earn a Bike program, those two-wheels are also a vehicle that unlocks valuable life skills and lessons.