When El Paso Electric employees saw news reports on the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, they sprang into action. They voted to give up their annual Employee Children’s Holiday party and gift and re-direct those funds toward the hurricane relief effort.

And, when 400 victims of the hurricane were moved to El Paso, EPE employees volunteered to help. They organized drives for essential items, held spare change collections and hot dog sales to raise funds.

EPE is contributing an additional amount which includes matching, dollar-for-dollar, contributions made to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army by its employees and directors, up to $25,000. Because of these efforts, El Paso Electric and its employees will contribute more than $91,000 to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

“The generosity of EPE employees and their willingness to lend a helping hand never ceases to amaze me,” said Gary Hedrick, EPE president and chief executive officer. “It makes me proud to lead a company whose employees always rise to the challenge, especially when it comes to helping their communities and providing assistance to those in need.”