OUC in the news   Press/media contacts   Publication library   Knowledge Center   More about OUC		OUC News Release For Immediate Release   return to archive October 3, 2001 Paul Dillon   OUC Reaches Out To Help Sept. 11 Victims Students At Passport Charter School Pitch In, Too ORLANDO (October 3, 2001) – OUC has contributed more than $45,000 to the September 11th Fund to assist those affected by the recent terrorist attacks. The contribution includes more than $20,000 donated by OUC employees, more than $2,400 donated by local students, and a matching amount from the city-owned utility itself. In addition, OUC donated $2,580 in raffle ticket sales from its recent charity golf tournament to the September 11th Fund. "As a result of these terrible attacks, there is a monumental need for financial assistance in the affected areas," says Bob Haven, OUC's general manager & CEO. "Our employees — and a group of thoughtful students — enthusiastically stepped forward to help, and OUC was more than glad to match their contributions." Students at Passport Charter School in downtown Orlando contributed $2,423.49 to OUC's fund-raising effort. After learning that OUC was matching employee contributions to the September 11th Fund, a school representative asked if OUC would match donations from Passport students. Naturally, OUC agreed. On September 28, an excited crowd of students from the K-8 school presented their contribution — much of it in coins — to OUC. In front of the utility's downtown headquarters, the students sang God Bless America and waved the Stars and Stripes. Passport Charter School is sponsored by the Orange County Public Schools. The September 11th Fund was set up by the United Way of New York City to respond to the short-term and longer-term needs of the victims and families affected by the horrific events of September 11, 2001. OUC—The Reliable One is a municipal utility owned by the City of Orlando. It provides electricity and water services to more than 165,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange County.