Community involvement is one of the founding principles of Chesapeake. Partnering with community leaders, supporting local initiatives and investing in the communities where we operate are just a few of the ways we give back. Over the years, Chesapeake has developed a reputation as one of the most philanthropic companies in the energy industry and one of the most generous in the U.S.
We support projects such as community and public service improvements, primary and higher education, public safety, health care, youth programs, historical preservation and environmental protection.
Chesapeake H.E.L.P. Initiative
In 2009, we created the H.E.L.P. (Helping Energize Local Progress) Initiative, a company-wide employee volunteer program designed to provide our employees with meaningful opportunities to serve their neighbors and better their communities through volunteerism and community service.
The goal of the H.E.L.P. Initiative is to promote community outreach and volunteer support by connecting employees with local organizations that are addressing needs in the community. By offering opportunities for involvement, we strive to fill needs and build strong foundations for the future in the areas where we operate.
H.E.L.P. for the Holidays
In keeping with the spirit of giving at Chesapeake, H.E.L.P. for the Holidays provides opportunities for employees across the company to help those in need during the holiday season. In 2009, thousands of Chesapeake employees devoted their time to ensure others were fed, clothed and given a joyful holiday season by:
- Donating more than 5,600 canned food items
- Supplying more than 455 coats and winter clothing items
- Sponsoring 270 foster children
- Providing more than 850 toys for children
20,000 Hours
As part of Chesapeake's 20th anniversary celebration in 2009, the company issued a challenge via the H.E.L.P. Initiative – to complete 20,000 hours of community services in five weeks. Chesapeake also gave employees four hours of company time to complete this task. From renovating playgrounds in West Virginia to volunteering at an animal shelter in Texas, employees responded in full force. In five short weeks, the company donated 26,134 hours of service to 575 organizations in more than 70 communities across the country. The amount of work completed equals that of a full-time employee working 40 hours a week for 13 years.
Chesapeake Mentoring Program
Chesapeake's Mentoring Program was created in 1995 as one of the company's first volunteer programs. Each week, approximately 300 Oklahoma City Chesapeake employees volunteer an hour of their time mentoring students at one of three inner-city schools: Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School, Harding Charter Preparatory High School and Horace Mann Elementary, where a mentor is provided for every student at the school. Since the program began, Chesapeake employees have impacted approximately 2,500 students. The results have created positive relationships between students and volunteers, and encouraged support for other events to support the schools in a number of ways, including donating school supplies, warm coats for winter and toy drives for the holidays.
Read more about our community contributions in each of our operating areas in the quarterly Community Ties newsletter.