SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, USO San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will hold the 1st annual USO San Diego Military Appreciation Reception to recognize more than 100 representatives and volunteers from over 50 non-profit organizations that support local veterans, returning military troops, and their families. Rear Admiral Patrick Lorge, Commander of Navy Region Southwest, will deliver the keynote address.
The reception will take place at the new USO Neil Ash Airport Center and will present the first Lifetime Achievement Award to a volunteer that has dedicated years of service to the families of men and women in uniform in San Diego.
"SDG&E is proud to support the families of the troops that defend our nation," said Jeff Martin, chief executive officer of SDG&E and former U.S. Army officer and helicopter pilot. "The non-profit community and hundreds of volunteers play a central role in helping our troops transition successfully from the home front to the front lines, and then back again to civilian life. SDG&E joins the USO San Diego in thanking these organizations and volunteers for their service to the greater military community and our nation."
Approximately 500 SDG&E employees, more than 10 percent of the company, have prior military experience. SDG&E emphasizes the hiring of veterans and in 2012 spent more than $42 million doing businesses with firms owned by service-disabled veterans in an effort to promote jobs and economic activity for those who have served in uniform.
In 2014, SDG&E will have provided $500,000 in charitable giving to non-profit organizations that support military and veteran families through job training, food assistance, homelessness and other programs.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 861,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)