Recognizing growing hardships, Dominion donates $1 million to healthcare

Mikaila Adams
Associate Editor – OGFJ

Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, was founded as a way for the company to lend a helping hand. In 2008 alone, Dominion, its charitable foundation, and its employees invested over $20 million and 100,000 volunteer hours. The company has been involved in preservation of natural and historic resources, workforce development and education, diversity initiatives, and community development – all in an effort to help people in the states where it operates.

While the company has recently shifted its operational focus from upstream to downstream, Dominion continues play a vital role in the energy space. Dominion’s Appalachian Basin E&P operations include nearly 1.2 tcfe of proved reserves and the company owns and operates the nation’s largest underground natural gas storage system. In addition to its continued contribution to the upstream energy sector, the company continues to contribute to communities.

Recognizing the growing economic hardships faced by many during these tough times, Dominion has refocused its corporate giving on basic human necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

After providing $6 million earlier in the year to help people in need pay heating and cooling bills, and on the heels of a $1 million donation that provided more than 20 million pounds of food and grocery products to food banks in 14 states, Dominion is at it again.

The Dominion Foundation recently granted $1 million to free medical clinics in Virginia and the 13 other states where it does business. Half of the grant money was distributed to roughly 40 clinics in the state of Virginia where Dominion is headquartered. Ohio clinics received the second-largest portion with $125,000 distributed amongst 11 clinics. In Texas, three clinics, The Agape Clinic, Plano Children’s Medical Clinic, and Healing Hands Ministries each received $5,000.

The donations will fund doctor exams, lab work, medications, and diagnostic tests for the uninsured and underinsured.

Free clinics nationwide report that the number of people using their services is growing rapidly during the economic crisis. These clinics serve large numbers of low-income, working families and others who cannot afford medical care. Currently, these clinics are serving significant numbers of laid-off workers who lost health insurance previously provided by employers.

“Over the last year our patient base has grown exponentially as a result of the accelerating cost of health care insurance and those who have lost their jobs due to economic uncertainty,” stated Janna Gardner, executive director of the Healing Hands Clinic.

“Since the 1960s, free clinics have been serving America’s working poor, and over the last year our patient base has grown to include white and blue collar workers who have lost their jobs and health insurance,” said Nicole Lamoureux, executive director of the National Association of Free Clinics.

“The current economic times have produced hardships not seen in several generations,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and CEO of Dominion. “We want to do our part to make sure medical services are available to those who are uninsured or can’t afford to see a doctor.”

Farrell cited the extraordinary service performed every day by doctors and nurses at health clinics in Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other states where Dominion operates and encouraged others to donate.

“Dominion recognizes the gravity of this issue and is determined to do its part. We hope that all financially healthy companies do what they can do to make sure that healthcare is available to those in need.”