From FirstEnergy Corp.
The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $25,000 to the IM ABLE Foundation, a Berks County organization that provides physical activity and wellness programs for children, veterans, and adults with disabilities. The group’s efforts help meet the critical needs of customers served by FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary doing business in eastern Pennsylvania as Met-Ed.
John Hawkins, FirstEnergy President, Pennsylvania, said, “Through the FirstEnergy Foundation, we’ve granted over $1 million in the first half of 2025 to enhance community wellbeing through organizations like IM ABLE. The Met-Ed team is excited to volunteer with IM ABLE to bring their programming to life – it’s all about having fun, fostering community, and building confidence through engaging physical activity.”
The grant supports IM ABLE’s Operation Lead from the Front initiative, which addresses the unique needs of military veterans as they transition to civilian life, particularly those who face challenges related to social isolation, loss of purpose, and mental health issues. The initiative expands adaptive and inclusive fitness programming for 2,500 veteran and non-veteran clients, offering a broad range of outdoor activities, such as skiing, ropes courses, fitness competitions, adventure challenges, rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking.
The funding also supports enhanced training for veterans who are new to mentoring and coaching individuals with disabilities.
Alex A. Pilkington, Chief Executive Officer, IM ABLE Foundation, said, “We are incredibly grateful to the FirstEnergy Foundation for its generous support of our Operation Lead from the Front veteran program. This $25,000 grant will directly empower veterans with physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities by expanding access to adaptive fitness, wellness coaching, and peer mentorship. With this funding, we will help more veterans regain strength, build community, and rediscover their purpose through movement. Together, we are changing lives – one repetition, one mile, one mission at a time.”
Hawkins recently joined other Met-Ed employees at IM ABLE’s adaptive gym, touring the facility and riding a modified, hand-crank-propelled cycle tailored to riders with physical disabilities. Adaptive handcycles can cost as much as $20,000.
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Source: bctv