Three local organizations committed to rebuilding the lives of injured service members, providing college scholarships for children of fallen heroes and supporting veterans as they transition into college life received a welcome financial boost when Gulf Power presented checks totaling more than $90,000 to the three groups. 

The charity proceeds were raised during the third annual Clay Shoot event on Nov. 5 at the Santa Rosa Shooting Center. The event attracted 38, four-member teams, and raised more than $90,000.

Stan Connally, president and CEO of Gulf Power, along with members of the utility’s service organization, Transformers, presented checks to representatives from Building Homes for Heroes, Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the University of West Florida’s Military & Veterans Resource center Dec. 8 at the Gulf Power Corporate Office. Each organization received a check in the amount of $30,300.   

Upon presenting the checks, Connally noted that this is very personal to both the employees and him, how the community supports its veterans and hopes the donation will help extend those efforts.

“We all know how important our military, veterans and their families are to our local communities,” he said. “And it takes organizations like the ones we support here to invest back into the men and women that have touched our lives in so many special ways.”

Kelly Hale, Florida Panhandle team leader for Building Homes for Heroes, said it really warms the heart to see so many Gulf Power employees embrace these endeavors and help the community in so many ways.

“We help those who have served and defended this great nation with one of our basic needs of housing,” said Hale. “We’re so grateful to Gulf Power for being so generous and kind, and helping our families.”

With the help of 80 volunteers, the event surpassed last year’s Clay Shoot by roughly $28,000. The annual event is coordinated by the employees of Gulf Power in support of active and retired military personnel and their families throughout Northwest Florida.

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Gulf Power is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 447,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page. News information can be found at GulfPowerNews.com.