Dear Friends:

The past year posed new challenges for all of us across Ohio. As economic conditions took a toll on unemployment, we saw dramatic growth in the need for assistance across the state. Combined with the pressures of declining sources of funding for many social service agencies, these conditions brought a sharp focus on the need for additional support, particularly in the areas of basic human needs. AEP Ohio responded by emphasizing these needs as our top philanthropic priority and by substantially increasing our contributions in these areas. Forty-nine United Way agencies across the 63 counties we serve received extra contributions from AEP Ohio, which helped provide assistance for an additional 1,700 families. We also increased our support to eleven food banks across the state, providing 650,000 meals to those in need.

While staying true to our broader focus on education, environment, safety, hunger, health and housing, we recognized and responded to the growing struggles with hunger and housing in many of the 900 communities we serve. As it appears that economic conditions will rebound slowly, we anticipate maintaining this focus and commitment in 2010.

On behalf of AEP Ohio’s 1,500 employees, I am proud to share this report on our community support during 2009. We consider it a great privilege to serve our fellow Ohioans by providing safe, reliable and affordable electric service, by offering our helping hands, and by providing financial support to our neighbors who need our help in difficult times.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve and support our communities.

Sincerely,

Joe Hamrock
President and Chief Operating Officer
AEP Ohio

AEP Ohio Contributions