Energy Company Volunteers Help Shelter Stay Warm

More than 40 volunteers from Dominion Virginia Power helped make sure winter will be a little warmer for families in need.

The Dominion employees did repairs at in Reston and 11 townhomes used for transitional housing in Herndon on Thursday.

The volunteers weatherstripped; replaced switches and electrical outlets; installed programmable thermosats and sealed windows at the townhouses. In addition to weatherproofing at the shelter, the volunteers also helped repair the playrgound fence and clean the gutters there.

"Dominion employees have donated more than 125,000 hours to the communities in which they live and work," said Rodney Blevins, Dominion's vice president of distribution and operations.

Blevins also announced on Thursday that the utility company is giving away $1 million to organizations that help the homeless in 14 states. More than $100,000 of those donations was given to Northern Virginia organizations, including Reston Interfaith, on Thursday.

"We hope Reston Interfaith can now focus on its mission and not on energy expenses," said Blevins.

Reston Interfaith CEO Kerrie Wilson said her organization this year has helped more than 900 people stay in their homes. Requests for emergency assistance - including housing, food and utility costs - have risen dramatically since the economic downturn began two years ago, she says.