Every child deserves a shot at a healthy start to life. With that in mind, the American Electric Power Foundation, on behalf of Indiana Michigan Power, is donating $100,000 to Super Shot, Powering the Next Community Initiative to provide immunizations to the Greater Fort Wayne area, creating the organization’s first-ever permanent office building.
Founded in 1992, Super Shot aims to provide access to immunizations for children and their families and to protect the community from preventable diseases. It relies on a number of community organizations to improve immunizations rates. According to the organization, Allen County ranks among the bottom 10 counties in Indiana for immunizations.
Super Shot has been providing its services from donated locations. But, thanks to the AEP Foundation’s and I&M’s donation, Super Shot, for the first time, will have a permanent location on the northeast side of downtown Fort Wayne.
“Super Shot is incredibly grateful to have the support of the AEP Foundation and Indiana Michigan Power. Their commitment to our Building the Heart of Community Health campaign will provide health equity, expand services, and create a permanent home for Super Shot where more families can receive life-saving immunizations,” said Connie Heflin, executive director, Super Shot. “The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of vaccines in preventing potentially devastating illness in families and communities. This donation will help Super Shot create a healthier community and protect thousands of northeast Indiana children and adults against disease.”
Super Shot plans to use $100,000 to make renovations to an existing building at the intersection of Hobson Road and Lake Avenue, near Parkview Health. This initiative will create a family-friendly accessible center for vaccine services, educational outreach and a community partnership. The donation will also help Super Shot reach its goal of doubling its services from 20,000 families to 40,000 by the end of 2022.
“The AEP Foundation and Indiana Michigan Power are focused on enriching the lives of our communities and customers. With the donation, we will partner to help ensure our customers have the necessities to build successful and healthy lives,” said Kelly Rentschler, I&M Community Affairs manager. “Without good health, children cannot go to school to learn and thrive. This is why the AEP Foundation and I&M is proud to provide a safe space for families to have access to essential health care.”
Super Shot provides access to vaccinations including COVID-19, chickenpox, influenza, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). For more information, please call (260) 424-SHOT (7468), or view the Super Shot clinic schedules at supershot.org.
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ABOUT SUPERSHOT: Super Shot, Inc. is a local non-profit that promotes vaccination and provides access to immunizations community-wide. Since 1993, Super Shot has been breaking down the barriers of vaccinations - access and cost - and increasing awareness of the importance of vaccination.
ABOUT THE AEP FOUNDATION: The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) and its operating subsidiaries. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area. The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math; and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger; and championing social and racial justice. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, support healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.
ABOUT INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER: Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 599,000 customers. More than two-thirds of its energy delivered in 2019 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tracy Warner Connie Heflin
Corporate Communications Manager Executive Director
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) Supershot
260-479-9484 260-413-5691
tkwarner@aep.com connie.heflin@supershot.org