The majority of Avista’s giving is in the area of health and human services, because we believe that the basics of life – shelter, food, health and well-being – are the very foundation of building quality of life. We also understand that energy is one of those essential costs of living that is closely aligned with basic needs. Our grants and donations help provide assistance to those on limited incomes and support for initiatives to reduce poverty – to ease the burden of energy prices for customers most in need; to provide an enhanced level of support to senior and more vulnerable customers; to provide energy conservation education to senior, vulnerable and limited income customers; and to support community-wide safety net services to assist with the essential costs of living. Not because we have to, but because we know it’s the right thing to do.

Teeing up assistance for cancer patients

There are few things in life that can be more devastating than a diagnosis of cancer. For the residents of Sanders County in western Montana, one resource for those who need assistance is the Cancer Network. As a community-based non-profit organization, the Network was formed to help county residents with their cancer treatment by providing funds to assist with travel expenses for medical appointments, medications, prostheses, wigs and other related expenses not covered by insurance. Sanders County is the home of Avista’s largest hydroelectric project, Noxon Rapids. As a community partner, Avista and our employees each year host a regional golf tournament to benefit a local charity – in 2010 it was the Cancer Network. “The organization relies on the generosity of local residents and businesses, like Avista,  to further its cause of helping to ease the financial burden of local residents fighting cancer,” noted Kathy Miller, president of the Cancer Network.