Utility Helps Honor Local Businesses that Help Children (12/1/08)

Columbus Water & Light and its power supplier, WPPI, recently provided Columbus Connects with $250 to help the organization recognize local businesses for efforts towards keeping children away from drugs and alcohol. Columbus Connects is a non-profit organization whose mission is "To reduce substance abuse in our communities". The money received from Columbus Water & Light will be used to purchase two awards that will be given to the winners of CC’s annual Stone Soup & Eye Level awards.

The Stone Soup award is presented to a business or organization that has taken active steps to encourage meaningful youth involvement and contribution to the Columbus Community. Examples might include businesses that provide youth with work experiences in an environment of support and development, organizations that provide youth with meaningful volunteer experiences that improve the community.

The Eye Level award is presented to a business or organization that has taken active steps to reduce exposure of alcohol and tobacco marketing to children. Examples may include businesses that make sure window advertising is not exclusively alcohol and tobacco products, that floor displays have a variety of products, or that drink specials are located in a menu, instead of on table-top displays.