Akron, Ohio, May 6, 2020 – Energy Harbor announced today it is contributing $100,000 to the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. The program promotes early childhood literacy and supports students and their families whose schools have closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Imagination Library’s mission is to put more books in the hands of Ohio children and help ensure that every student enters kindergarten ready to succeed.

“We are pleased to support an organization that shares our passion for educational development and literacy,” said Energy Harbor president and CEO John Judge. “The Imagination Library recognizes that the best way to ensure that children are armed with the knowledge they need to succeed is reading aloud to them and giving them access to books. Ensuring young learners have books and other resources they need at home is increasingly important now that students are unable to physically attend school.”

Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine said, “I am thrilled that Energy Harbor is partnering with the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library to help us put more books in the hands of Ohio's kids. Early access to books is critical to a child's future success inside the classroom and beyond, and we want every child in Ohio to be able to register in the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library. We are so close to making this program available in every zip code in Ohio thanks to our amazing community partners like Energy Harbor."

In addition to this partnership, Energy Harbor continues to develop and support local efforts to improve the economic vitality and enhance the safety and security of the communities it serves. Judge added, “COVID-19 has created challenges for all of us, and we intend to do all that we can to be good neighbors to those who live and work around us. Recently we helped the Mason Community Learning Center, an elementary school in Akron, provide hotspots for families to provide internet access for remote learning.”

“We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with Energy Harbor and the commitment they have made to our students and to our educators,” said Mason Community Learning Center principal Angela Harper.

Energy Harbor also provided support to Akron’s Haven of Rest Ministries which plays a vital role in breaking the cycle of homelessness and helping people live hope-filled lives. “While other facilities have been closed, the Haven of Rest has seen an 11% increase in the meals we serve,” said Haven of Rest Ministries CEO Rev. Jeff Kaiser. “This support from Energy Harbor is a wonderful surprise and enables us to provide our services when the community needs them most.”