Georgia Natural Gas® Honors 13 Georgia Nonprofits, Celebrates $250,000 in Grants at 5th TrueBlue Community Awards

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Natural Gas^® (GNG), Georgia's leading natural gas provider, announced today that it has recognized 13 Georgia nonprofits with TrueBlue Community Awards and that it has distributed a total of $250,000 in grants to deserving nonprofits throughout the state since the program was launched five years ago.

Decatur Cooperative Ministry in Decatur received the top grant of $10,000 for its work in the GNG focus area of energy assistance at this year's awards reception. The grant will help support Decatur Cooperative Ministry's mission to assist families in Decatur and DeKalb County who are facing homelessness settle into safe and stable homes.

The theme for this year's awards, Ingrained in Giving for 5 Years, was chosen to celebrate the fifth year milestone of the awards. GNG created the awards in 2011 out of a deep commitment to recognize nonprofit organizations in Georgia and the difference they are making in Georgia's communities. Each year of the program, GNG has awarded $50,000 in grants to nonprofits in Georgia, culminating in a total of $250,000 in grants GNG has distributed since the program was created.

"Georgia Natural Gas is proud to recognize and support Decatur Cooperative Ministry for their work to provide children and families in need with assistance in housing, food and bill payment to prevent eviction, foreclosure or utility cut-off," said Georgia Natural Gas President and CEO, Mike Braswell. "We also congratulate all the recipients of the 2015 TrueBlue Community Awards and wish them continued success in the excellent work that they are doing to help make Georgia a better place to live."

"It is an honor to give deserving nonprofits such a special recognition each year," said Maurice Baker, manager of community relations at GNG. "Their work truly matches the spirit of these awards — which is to make a difference, and also reflects GNG's commitment to community engagement throughout our state."

All of the 2015 award-winning nonprofit organizations exemplify GNG's commitment and support in its focus areas of children and education, seniors, energy assistance, and the environment in Georgia. GNG has supported nonprofit organizations in Georgia's communities for the last 17 years— both financially and through its award-winning TrueBlue Crew employee volunteer program. 

The TrueBlue Community Awards were presented on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at a special reception in the Georgian Ballroom of the Biltmore building, which is home to GNG headquarters in Atlanta. Former Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski was the featured speaker. WXIA-TV's Christine Pullara, host of Atlanta & Co. was the master of ceremonies for the event.

Nonprofit organizations throughout Georgia applied for TrueBlue Community Awards. An independent panel of local civic and nonprofit leaders selected the finalists and winners. GNG presented awards in all of the company's community focus areas.

About Georgia Natural Gas
Georgia Natural Gas has been the leading provider of natural gas to homes and businesses in Georgia for more than 15 years.  Georgia Natural Gas is part of SouthStar Energy Services, a preeminent retail natural gas marketing company operating in 11 states.  Based in Atlanta, SouthStar is a joint venture between AGL Resources Inc. and Piedmont Natural Gas.  SouthStar manages over ten brands across its footprint including Georgia Natural Gas in the state of Georgia, Nicor Advanced Energy and Nicor Solutions in Illinois, and in other states, Ohio Natural Gas, Florida Natural Gas, New York Natural Gas, Maryland Energy, and Grand Rapids Energy.  SouthStar also does business in the Carolinas as Piedmont Energy Company and in other parts of the Southeast as SouthStar Energy Services. For more information: www.gng.com.

SOURCE Georgia Natural Gas

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