Community Success Stories

FIRST Makes Science #1

Keeping the United States at the leading edge of technology and innovation in the twenty-first century requires, in part, a commitment to fostering future generations of engineers. Organizations like FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, exist to do just that.

“The money we received from CL&P helped us cover some expenses that weren’t included in our operating budget,” said Art Dutra, a mentor of the “Gus Robotics” team for the three high schools in Meriden. “It helped keep us afloat when we really needed it. CL&P and NU have stepped up very enthusiastically in support of FIRST, and it has been appreciated.”

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Live Green, Win Green

“How green is your school?” was the question CL&P asked Connecticut high school students last October, when the company launched its Live Green – Win Green competition. Live Green – Win Green challenged students to demonstrate what their school is currently doing to save energy and preserve the environment and to propose one or more new eco-friendly initiatives they would like to put in place.

Student teams from nearly 20 schools across the state each produced a two-minute video and 1,000 word essay on the topic, knowing that the winning submission was worth a $20,000 grant toward making their proposed green initiatives a reality.

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CL&P’s Bike Drive Gets People On A Roll

For many people, bicycles represent fun and recreation, or a form of sport and exercise. But for the grateful recipients of bicycles collected and distributed by Willimantic’s Little Angels Program, a bicycle represents opportunity — a means of mobility, both literal and figurative.

In addition to a $1,500 grant to help purchase bicycle accessories, such as helmets, pedals and carrier baskets, CL&P held an end-of-summer Bike & Trike Drive. In just 10 days, CL&P and other Northeast Utilities employees collected more than 350 bicycles, the largest single donation in the history of the Little Angels Program. Word of CL&P’s impressive donation spread, sparking a flood of additional bike donations from across the state, including 28 second-hand bikes from the West Hartford Police Department, and 30 brand-new helmets from the Elks Club.

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CL&P Tutors Spend Time with Students at East Hartford’s John A. Langford Elementary School

The East Hartford School/Business Partnership was created 21 years ago, uniting schools, businesses, organizations and families within the community to enhance education in the East Hartford Public Schools. Northeast Utilities, Pratt & Whitney and the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce were at the forefront of this important initiative and since then, they have been joined by other organizations working to enrich students’ lives and broaden their opportunities.

The John A. Langford Elementary School is one of the partnership’s original beneficiaries through the Langford Tutorial Program, which is still going strong today. For more than two decades, employees from NU and CL&P have provided weekly tutoring to Langford students in the areas of reading, math and computer skills.

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