12th ANNUAL HEROES GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $150,000 FOR U.S. ARMY RANGERS

SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, on Veterans Day, Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, Georgia System Operations and Georgia EMC announced a $150,000 donation to the Sua Sponte Foundation, a volunteer non-profit organization that provides rapid assistance to the Rangers and families of the 1st Ranger Battalion, part of the U.S. Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment based in Savannah, Georgia. The donation was funded by proceeds from the companies' annual Heroes Invitational Golf Tournament, a private event held in early October, that for 12 years has benefited the active and veteran military community in Georgia.

Since 9/11, the Sua Sponte Foundation has assisted Rangers and their families in times of crisis. The organization hosts and sponsors events to increase the Rangers' morale and cohesiveness, helps to renovate wounded Rangers' homes, sends care packages to deployed troops, provides financial aid for medical expenses, offers job search assistance, helps Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in military service, and maintains memorial grounds dedicated to fallen warriors of the 1st Ranger Battalion.

"The Sua Sponte Foundation aims to provide meaningful assistance to Georgia's Army Rangers, and our efforts are made possible with the help of generous donations like the one we've received from the Heroes Golf Tournament," said Sua Sponte Foundation President Richard Schooley. "This significant donation will help us build a safe place on post where Rangers can relax, unwind and share comradery."

Proceeds from the tournament will help fund the construction of a new pavilion, The Ranger Heritage Center. The pavilion will be built on Savannah's Hunter Army Air Base, adjacent to the existing Ranger Memorial, and will be used by the Rangers for meetings, ceremonies and recreation.

 "Oglethorpe Power is proud that more than 20 percent of our workforce is composed of U.S. military veterans, and the Heroes Golf Tournament provides another meaningful way for us to support the veteran community," said Oglethorpe Power President & CEO Mike Smith. "We are truly grateful for the participation of this year's golfers, donors and sponsors who helped us raise $150,000 to support the efforts of the Sua Sponte Foundation."

"We're proud to support Georgia's active and veteran servicemen and servicewomen today, and every day," said Georgia Transmission President & CEO Barbara Hampton. "It is an honor that so many military veterans choose to have their civilian careers with us, and we're thankful for the expertise and experience they bring to our team. The Heroes Golf Tournament is just another opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the service and sacrifices made by servicemembers and their families."

"Georgia System Operations values the work the Sua Sponte Foundation does in providing assistance to 1/75th Rangers and their families, and we're happy to help the organization reach its goals," said Georgia System Operations President & CEO Greg Ford. "We employ many veterans that are critical to our company's success, and we're honored to be able to support the brave men and women who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces."

"EMCs across Georgia are proud to employ Veterans who play an important role in helping provide reliable and safe electricity to millions of Georgians," said Georgia EMC President & CEO Dennis Chastain. "It's truly an honor to raise funds for our current and veteran Army Rangers who have sacrificed so much for our freedom."

Oglethorpe Power is one of the nation's largest power supply cooperatives with more than $16 billion in assets serving 38 Electric Membership Corporations which, collectively, provide electricity to approximately 4.4 million Georgia residents. A proponent of conscientious energy development and use, Oglethorpe Power balances reliable and affordable energy with environmental responsibility and has an outstanding record of regulatory compliance. Its diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric and coal generating plants with a combined capacity of more than 8,300 megawatts. Oglethorpe Power was established in 1974 and is owned by its 38 Member Systems. Its headquarters are in Tucker, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. For more information, visit www.opc.com.

Georgia Transmission Corporation, a not-for-profit cooperative owned by 38 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), owns more than 3,500 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and more than 760 substations. These facilities deliver power to Georgia's EMCs, providing electricity to more than 4.4 million Georgians. For more information, visit www.gatransmission.com.

Georgia System Operations Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation owned by 38 Georgia electric membership corporations, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and Georgia Transmission Corporation.  GSOC delivers safe, reliable, and economic power by controlling and monitoring electric generation, transmission, and distribution assets owned by OPC, GTC, Smarr EMC, the Members, and their power supply partners. Operating within the Southeastern reliability sub-region of the SERC Reliability Corporation, GSOC complies with all applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. GSOC also manages the critical infrastructure protection (CIP) program for GTC and itself.  For more information, visit www.gasoc.com.

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state's 41 EMCs, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp.  Collectively, Georgia's customer-owned EMCs provide electricity and related services to approximately 4.4 million people, nearly half of Georgia's population, across 73 percent of the state's land area. To learn more, visit www.georgiaemc.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Oglethorpe Power Corporation