BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) announced more than $770,000 in total contributions during the company’s 2024-2025 United Way campaign. The total donation was achieved through individual pledges made by employees from its water and gas segments, Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas, as well as a matching gift from the company’s Essential Foundation, presented to the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, as the host of the campaign. Aqua and Peoples have partnered with the United Way for more than two decades, raising more than $3.9 million since the companies united under Essential Utilities in 2020.

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Essential Utilities Chairman and CEO, Christopher Franklin (left), and Aqua Vice President of Operations, Mark McKoy (right), who chaired the employee giving campaign, visited United Way headquarters in Philadelphia to present the matching donation check of $385,000 to Bill Golderer (center), President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. (Photo: Business Wire)

Approximately 2,000 employees across Essential’s 9-state footprint participated in this year’s campaign to support their local United Way and other community organizations in the United Way network. The United Way employee giving program allows donors to direct their contributions to causes that are meaningful to them, and the success of this year’s campaign shows the culture of giving is alive and well at Essential.

Employees selected a variety of initiatives, including health and human services, education, housing and hunger relief, the environment, animal welfare and more. The corporate match will be directed to those same organizations through the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

In the Philadelphia region, Essential was once again a top performer among workplace campaigns, ranking in the top three percent of over 250 companies, and the Aqua Illinois team was recognized as one of the top five charitable campaigns by the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. While the average participation rate across the company was 61-percent, the Aqua Ohio and Aqua Indiana teams saw even more impressive participation with over 80-percent of employees contributing.

“The generosity shown by our Essential employees is a testament to our team’s connection to the communities we serve,” said Essential Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin. “Our commitment to improving the lives of our neighbors goes far beyond providing earth’s most essential resources. This partnership with the United Way is a shining example of the generous spirit of the people of Essential Utilities, and I’m proud to be a part of this amazing effort that positively impacts the lives of so many in need of a helping hand.”

Bill Golderer, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, agreed, stating, “Essential Utilities is a leader without peer in our region for the example they set. There is clearly a culture of generosity, commitment and service that defines what it means to be a part of Essential’s team. On behalf the thousands of neighbors in our community who strive every day for a better future, we salute Essential’s commitment to our United Way’s mission.”

About Essential
Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 9 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

About United Way
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) is on a mission to end poverty and expand opportunity for all. Serving Pennsylvania’s Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey’s Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, United Way creates solutions that break the cycle of poverty. As part of a network of independent local nonprofit organizations, United Way provides countless ways to give, advocate and volunteer. To learn more, visit www.unitedforimpact.org.

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