Indiana American Water is working to better the Northwest Indiana community through its philanthropic efforts. The company, which serves as the water utility provider to much of the Region, is involved with numerous charities and organizations throughout Lake and Porter County.
“We always like to give back to the communities we serve. We provide water service for a large portion of Lake and Porter Counties and encourage employee volunteerism and donate thousands of dollars to charitable and community organizations in the area each year,” said Justin Mount, major account manager for Indiana American Water.
From providing water for community events, participating in charity walks, or working with local organizations like Meals on Wheels and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, Indiana American Water is an integral part of each of the many communities it serves in northwest Indiana. Some recent examples include providing a COVID-19 relief grant for providing meals to high-COVID-risk seniors, donating land to allow expansion of the Boys & Girls Club in South Haven, and providing funding for a splash pad and outdoor classroom at James Reed Park in Gary, Ind.
The company is also diligent about operating in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way and helping to educate customers on the role we all play in preserving and protecting our water resources. From participating in events like the Gary Clean Water Festival to providing funds for community-based watershed protection projects through its Environmental Grant Program, Indiana American Water leads by example and is committed to protecting the environment and finding ways to use our most precious resource wisely.
“Giving back in these ways helps the quality of life and helps to make for a better community,” Mount said. “We do well by doing good and we believe that how we operate is just as important as what we do.”
As a water service provider, Mount said the company is also proud to support local fire departments.
“We annually provide financial assistance to local fire and emergency organizations serving customers in northwest Indiana,” said Mount. “In 2020 alone, we provided nearly $9,000 to six northwest Indiana fire departments as part of our Firefighter Grant Program to provide equipment and training for front-line emergency responders.
“We work closely with local firefighters to support their efforts throughout the year, and we’re happy to help them be even more effective in what they do through this program,” Mount continued.
As a result of the challenges many not-for-profit organizations were facing because of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Indiana American Water joined with the American Water Charitable Foundation to identify and provide relief funds to more than a dozen local organizations helping residents across the state that had been negatively impacted.
In northwest Indiana, the company provided $5,000 through its COVID-19 Response Fund to Meals on Wheel of Northwest Indiana to help provide meals to homebound, medically fragile, high-COVID-risk seniors and people with disabilities.
“As a water utility provider, we take pride in providing an essential service for our customers, and we think food is also part of that,” Mount said. “We appreciate the work local organizations like Meals on Wheels are doing and are proud to collaborate and support their efforts to make sure these basic necessities can be provided to those that need it most.”
He also explained that the Foundation matches employee donations up to $1,000 for each employee through its ongoing volunteer/matching gift program.
“It's an opportunity for folks who have an interest in a particular nonprofit or organization to magnify their impact through the Foundation,” he said.
Mount also stressed the importance of partnering with and supporting economic development efforts in the communities it serves through a variety of ways, including supporting local efforts to attract and retain businesses and jobs, supporting community redevelopment efforts, and by working with local grassroots and philanthropic organizations throughout the region.
“We have been very active in several economic development and local chamber organizations in the area over the last several years,” said Mount. “It takes all of us pulling together and doing what we can to make our communities strong and to improve the quality of life for all of us.”
Prior to COVID-19, Mount reached out to city officials about how Indiana American Water could help the neighborhoods surrounding its Borman Park water treatment facility near downtown Gary, Ind.
“One of my favorite memories is of putting together a team of company employees and actually cleaning up several sections of streets and sidewalks,” Mount said. “We really see ourselves as partners to the communities we serve, and there is nothing more satisfying than making a difference and getting to see the results of your efforts right in front of you. It was a great experience.”
Mount also noted that the company was involved in community service projects over the holidays as well through programs like The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program by providing gifts for children in need in northwest Indiana.
For more information on Indiana American Water, visit us online at www.indianaamwater.com. For more information on the American Water Charitable Foundation, visit https://www.amwater.com/corp/customers-and-communities/american-water-charitable-foundation/.
