BPU’s corporate social responsibility program wins award

The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities was presented with a Silver Stevie Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program at the 13th Annual American Business Awards in Chicago.

The American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program, with a panel of judges recognizing BPU for its ongoing efforts to better the community and the environment. BPU was named a finalist in May, competing with several other organizations until being named a Silver winner.

As a municipally-owned utility, BPU is committed to maintaining, investing in, and protecting the local community, its customers, and the environment, according to a spokesman.

In efforts to be a socially responsible organization, BPU and its employees support and continually give back to Wyandotte County in three core areas – community giving, volunteerism, and environmental education-advocacy, a spokesman said.

“We are pleased to be recognized as one of the most socially responsible organizations in the country,” stated David Mehlhaff, chief communications officer for BPU. “Giving back to the community and working to protect the environment has always been a key part of our employee culture and utility operations, and we will remain committed to making Wyandotte County a better place to live as we have for the last 100 years.”

BPU’s community giving efforts include raising over $450,000 for local children through its annual golf tournament, and helping more than 150 at-risk youth through the annual Summer Youth Program.