As is tradition at Greenville Utilities, many employees came together these last few weeks of the year to spread a little cheer to those in need! 

Director of Customer Relations Scott Mullis, Assistant Director of Customer Relations Colleen Sicley, and Energy Services Officer Jonathan Sergeant donated GUC blankets to the Pitt County Senior Center to distribute to some of our senior customers this winter.  

For the 20th year in a row, employees from throughout GUC also contributed unwrapped toys to the Salvation Army’s Operation Santa Claus program. Greenville Fire and Rescue collected our toy donations on December 10th to take to Salvation Army.

Customer Relations partnered with local businesses and a church to gather items needed this winter for Hurricane Helene victims in Rutherford County, NC. They also collected $380 to purchase Christmas gifts for children in that county whose families were displaced by the storm.

Customer Relations also held its 6th annual “Best Beard” contest where three Customer Contact Representatives, Nathan Johnson, Lee Eakes, and Nicholas Corsaro, competed to see who could grow the best beard in 30 days. Department employees could place as many votes as they wanted at $1 per vote. The money will go towards items for our local Joy Soup Kitchen. The contest verdict was still out on publication date for this story, so we will update this year’s winner announcement on the Spotlight Newsfeed.

The Electric Department held its annual oyster roast on December 11th to raise money for two local families needing a little extra help during the holidays. GUC employees, retirees, vendors, and guests were invited to purchase "all you can eat" oysters and shrimp caught fresh along the North Carolina coast. The department also raises funds in a variety of ways throughout the year for this cause, culminating in a final fundraising push with the oyster roast.

Water Resources adopted a family with three children whose names they received from the Salvation Army. Each child has gift tags with their wish. Department employees purchased items from the tags and brought the unwrapped items to be placed under the department tree for delivery just in time for Christmas. This is the 26th year they have adopted a family. 

What a great way to wrap up the year by getting into the spirit of giving during the holidays!