Three Nonprofits Vie for Your Vote to Receive $50,000 from NRG

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Once again, Philadelphia-based energy supplier, NRG Energy, Inc., is inviting the public to support regional nonprofits by participating in this season's NRG Gives vote. For the first time, a New Jersey nonprofit is among the finalists.

NRG employees chose Little Smiles in Kennett Square, PA, Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, and The Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ as finalists. Each has the opportunity to campaign for a $50,000 donation. Now, it's up to the public to cast votes to decide which of these worthwhile causes will receive the top award.

"NRG Gives is one of the best parts of our work at NRG and has generated great participation and excitement in this region," said Mike Starck, Vice-President and General Manager of NRG Retail East division. "NRG Gives provides employees the opportunity to directly impact nonprofits where they live and work and allows our customers and the public a say in where we invest in this community."

Here's how voting works: Between now and October 22nd at 11:59 p.m. EDT, the public can visit nrghomepower.com/nrggives to vote. Voting is limited to one vote per day, per device. The organization with the most votes at the end of the voting period will receive a $50,000 donation, and the other two nonprofits will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, based on voting totals. The results will be announced on October 24.

After this latest round, NRG Gives will have donated $440,000 to 14 regional nonprofits since November, 2016.

Here's more on the three finalists:

• Little Smiles: The volunteer-driven nonprofit works directly with doctors, nurses, and social workers to provide gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. Through their programming, Little Smiles aims to create "little smiles" for children in unfortunate circumstances.

• Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society: Also known as PAWS, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society is the City's largest rescue partner and provider of low-cost, basic veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations. With three no-kill shelters and a growing foster care network, the nonprofit is dedicated to saving Philadelphia's at-risk animals.

• The Seeing Eye: Recognized as the oldest existing guide dog school in the world, The Seeing Eye breeds, raises, and trains Seeing Eye® dogs to guide people who are blind and visually impaired. Since 1929, The Seeing Eye has made more than 17,000 partnerships between Seeing Eye dogs and people from across the United States and Canada.