Avangrid gives $10,000 to Honor Flights

VW independent/submitted information

Avangrid Renewables Blue Creek Wind Farm in Paulding and Van Wert County, Ohio presented a $10,000 check to Paulding Putnam Electric and Northeast Indiana Honor Flight Chapter on Monday.

Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op (PPEC) spearheaded the fundraising campaign to sponsor two full flights. Those flights are happening this fall, one on September 22 and the other on October 12.

With Avangrid’s large donation, it brings the total funds raised by PPEC to a little over $160,000. One flight costs between $65,000 to $70,000.

When asked why Avangrid decided to join Paulding Putnam Electric’s efforts, Blue Creeks Plant Manager Neil Voje explained: “Like many Americans, my father served in the Navy during World War II and my brothers served in Vietnam. In my 20-plus years of Naval service, they visited me at many of my duty stations around the world. My father’s stories and those of his generation have instilled in me a deep sense of pride and service.

“Helping with Honor Flight is repaying a small portion of the enormous debt we owe them,” Voje added. “Avangrid Foundation is proud to help Paulding Putnam Electrical Coop with the funding for these great warriors to see some of the tributes built at our Capitol to honor their sacrifice.”

Paulding Putnam Electric’s CEO George Carter attended the check presentation.

“It has been amazing how the region has stepped up for this great cause, but not surprising at all,” Carter said. “Northeast Indiana’s Honor Flight Chapter has a tremendous vision for their organization and the veterans it serves.”

As of right now, approximately 40 World War II veterans are participating in the September 22 Honor Flight. That number is up from recent years.

“While our main goal was to raise funds for Honor Flight, it was also to raise awareness regarding this program and to encourage World War II veterans, while still alive, to make this journey to see their memorial built for them,” Carter said. “They deserve this trip and more.”

Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op, located in Paulding, is an electric utility cooperative serving more than 12,900 members in Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Van Wert, and Allen counties in Ohio, and Adams and Allen counties in Indiana. For more information about the cooperative, visit http://ppec.coop.