2005 Community Involvement Report. Our Commitment to. Community

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1 2005 Community Involvement Report Our Commitment to Community

2 contents 3 A Message from Our President 5 Community Mobilizer 7 Long-Term Leadership 9 Local Catalyst 11 Bridge Builder, Boundary Breaker 13 Second-Generation Leader 15 The Public Face 17 Conduit and Connecting Point 19 Sweat Equity, Working Capital 21 Keeping Communities Safe 23 Wired for Good Citizenship 24 Financial Contributions in Our Communities 26 Beneficiaries of WPS Resources Foundation WPS Resources Foundation Matching Gifts Program Dollars for Doers 27 WPS Resources Corporation WPS Resources isn t just a company. It s a company made up of people who care about their communities. Our employees develop relationships, build trust, and work side by side with other community members. They re passionate about what they do. They make sure we re involved in issues that are important to the community and important to us. On the cover: KATHY HARTMAN Director of Public Affairs, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since Hartman is proud to lead the team of committed Community Relations Leaders featured in this year s 2005 Community Involvement Report. 2 WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

3 Our Commitment to Community In towns, cities, and crossroads across our service area, we are living our commitment to community, a commitment made possible by the people of WPS Resources Corporation. Each and every day, we re connecting businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations with the resources of our company and the WPS Resources Foundation for greater local good. From arts and culture to education, from community affairs to health and human services, from environment to economic stimulus, our commitments are making a critical difference in the places we call home. What powers this investment in vital communities? Much of it can be attributed directly to the personal involvement of our employees and retirees, people who are deeply vested in the future of our communities. This year, we invite you to put a face to some of these committed individuals, from our Corporate Community Relations Leaders to others working in areas such as business development, public safety, and public affairs. As we share their stories, you ll discover the value of our commitment at work. Larry L. Weyers Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of WPS Resources Corporation WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 3

4 It amazes me that you bring together the right people and you can get things done. The community is full of those people. KARMEN LEMKE Volunteer, School Board Member, Mother of Three, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

5 Community Mobilizer My commitment is to bring forth the company-wide value of community and the good that we can do when we work together on a larger scale, says Karmen Lemke, a Community Relations Leader for the greater Green Bay, Wisconsin, area. Lemke s forte is mobilizing the total resources of Wisconsin Public Service, bringing together the best people, the best resources, and the best expertise to leverage the benevolent support of WPS Resources Foundation. An example of this approach is the Business Education Partnership with Franklin Middle School, an at-risk, inner-city school. For 17 years, Wisconsin Public Service employees have served as mentors, educators, and role models, participating in job shadowing, demonstrating mapping using the latest Geographic Information System (GIS), or teaching classes such as Junior Achievement and Why Math Is Important. In turn, the kids at Franklin Middle School design a holiday greeting card for the company, adorn the halls of Wisconsin Public Service with their artwork, and brighten workdays with their visits. A lot of times it takes many years, but we can address the critical issues, see things through, and make some real changes out there, explains Lemke. Another fulfilling part of Lemke s position is her work with the corporate volunteer and retiree involvement programs at Wisconsin Public Service programs recognized as being among the area s top corporate volunteer programs. Her passion for helping others give back is also evident in her work with the Volunteer Center, a non-profit agency dedicated to promoting corporate volunteerism. A past president and board member, she has been pivotal in developing the Business Volunteer Council, a program that teaches businesses how to institute employee volunteer programs. Like all leaders, Lemke can be found at the pulse of community need, from advocating for area homeless shelters and affordable housing, sitting on boards from the Wrightstown School Board to the Einstein Project, or rolling up her sleeves to volunteer at company and community functions like the WPS Kids Power Run. Says Lemke, We re helping create quality of life by providing the full breadth of our company resources. It might be by donating computers to a non-profit. It might be by providing someone from our company to serve on a board of directors. A lot of our partners do good work but have limited resources. We can really help them mobilize their efforts. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 5

6 Nothing happens overnight. We provide the leadership to persevere. We re willing to roll up our sleeves, get behind projects, and keep them moving forward. BOB HERNKE Community Advocate, Problem-Solver, Positive Thinker, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

7 Long-Term Leadership Sometimes we re called do-gooders, said Bob Hernke, Community Relations Leader for the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, area. But seeing what s happened over the past 28 years, we ve made a difference and we re now able to see the fruits of our labor. The outcome of WPS Resources enduring commitment is thriving communities, from the charming main street in Waupaca to the vibrant downtown and riverfront areas in Oshkosh. Yet there was a time when the vision dimmed. Hernke was part of a core group that believed in the power of community and pushed through some hard times. Partnering with advocates such as the Chamber of Commerce, the area economic development corporation, and staunch corporate and civic supporters, Wisconsin Public Service and WPS Resources Foundation persevered to make a difference. Today, the vitality of the community bears out the importance of that commitment. The Leach Amphitheater, a former Wisconsin Public Service manufactured gas plant site, has been reborn as a magnificent 7,500-seat riverfront outdoor concert venue that brings together the community throughout the summer. The newly renovated University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Titan Stadium, now one of the country s top sports complexes, is a shared community-campus facility used by all area high schools and teams. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is also partnering with Wisconsin Public Service to make the community more green, as the state s largest purchaser of renewable energy, through Wisconsin Public Service s NatureWise program. New in 2001, a $13 million Oshkosh Community YMCA energizes the community, the first in the country with its own ice arena. There, a new Zamboni, courtesy of WPS Resources Foundation, maintains the ice. WPS Resources Foundation also supports the Strong Kids Campaign, which ensures that any child has the opportunity to go to the YMCA and take swim lessons or hang out after school. These are just a few of the many projects championed by Hernke and made possible through WPS Resources involvement. A self-described never say no person, Hernke is a noted community leader who serves on boards including the United Way, Friends of Oshkosh Parks, Winnebago Home Builders Association, Earth Charter, and the Oshkosh YMCA. To him, the payback is immense. It s heartwarming to see how Oshkosh has changed over the years and how well we ve done as a community. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 7

8 I m able to bring in the right resources to address community issues, connecting the right people and resources to reach a strong solution that s good for both the company and the community. KELLY ZAGRZEBSKI Community Spokesperson, Strategist, Synergizer, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

9 Local Catalyst As Community Relations Leader for central Wisconsin, Kelly Zagrzebski strengthens the quality of life for communities throughout Portage, Marathon, Langlade, and Lincoln Counties. I look at a community and put in perspective what we need to do to meet company and community needs, said Zagrzebski. I really like the big picture outcome: taking all aspects of community relations, government, the economy, neighbors, the environment, technical issues, then bringing everything together and having a successful project. Her talent for incubating community programs and focusing resources toward a common goal makes her in demand as a board member for many community organizations. Zagrzebski often gets the ball rolling by playing a leadership role, then makes way for other talented Wisconsin Public Service employees to lend their strengths and interests. Zagrzebski, for example, was key in the formation of the Workplace Volunteer Council of Marathon County, an organization that brings businesses together to explore corporate volunteer opportunities and promote community outreach. Now, co-workers from Portage to Stevens Point are active in the program. She s taken the same approach with Partners in Education, where employees mentor students in a partner school, and with the Portage County United Way, where more Wisconsin Public Service colleagues serve on boards and contribute their expertise. Zagrzebski is careful to balance her time to address key community needs. She can be found planning community celebrations, like the fun-filled Kids Day at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. She works with area chambers on programs to stimulate economic development projects. And she spearheads new initiatives, such as Community Development Authority, an organization that strengthens affordable local housing and promotes downtown revitalization. Perhaps Zagrzebski s favorite leadership role is that of company spokeswoman, keeping communities informed about complex public issues, like the new Weston 4 plant currently under construction in Wausau, Wisconsin. Zagrzebski has spearheaded a variety of events, such as neighborhood picnics and focus groups, in an effort to provide current information about Weston 4. It s important to make sure the information is out there and available, she said. Our goal is to help people understand that we re not just the utility company, we re a part of this neighborhood, this community. We live here too. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 9

10 The community can be assured that the company is truly committed, because there is a person at the table who works and lives in the community, someone who is truly ingrained in the community and understands the community s needs. LEAH VAN ZILE Pacesetter, Community Collaborator, Mother of Three, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

11 Bridge Builder, Boundary Breaker I really feel I can bring valuable resources to the table on our company s behalf, said Leah Van Zile, Community Relations Leader for Oneida, Vilas, and parts of Lincoln and Forest Counties in Wisconsin. With WPS Resources Foundation, we are able to support a variety of organizations. It really helps us to reach beyond a specific boundary and serve multiple aspects of the community, from education to health, economic development, and environment, which, in the northwoods, is a very important piece. Lincoln County Partners in Education, a non-profit organization where Van Zile serves as president, is an example of how Wisconsin Public Service is bridging these boundaries. The innovative collaboration between educators and businesses includes the Tomahawk and Merrill School Districts, area chambers, and the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation. Wisconsin Public Service was a founding company in the partnership. Working with an area metal fabricating business and a local high school tech education class, the organization obtained a major grant allowing the high school to replace obsolete welding equipment with new welding technology. The fabricating company came into the classroom weekly and worked with the instructors, giving students real-life welding experiences and building career skills in a highdemand area. It was a true win-win situation, said Van Zile. Van Zile s community commitment is demonstrated by her involvement in the many boards in the northern region. She is a director of the Northwoods United Way, and has established Wisconsin Public Service as a United Way pacesetter company steadily increasing employee giving. She also serves on the board of the Crandon Chamber of Commerce and is involved in both economic impact activities and community celebrations, including Kentuck Days, a festival celebrating Crandon s founding by pioneers from Kentucky. The Family Resource Connection is also an organization Van Zile is involved with, working on a First Books for Kids early literacy program that targets at-risk young readers and their parents. If it s not me, it will be another employee from the company active in these organizations, sharing ideas, working on teams to further that initiative, she said. It s really valuable, because in smaller communities the volunteer base can be limited. Throughout the communities Van Zile serves, the name Wisconsin Public Service carries value. Overall, what I find most satisfying is the trust communities have in the company. When I say I m from Wisconsin Public Service, she said, I m welcomed into the group. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 11

12 The more you do, the more the community relies on you. They know they can come to you. They know what you have to offer, both as a person and the company you represent. JANET WOLFE Grant Writer, Point Person, Stage Lighting Technician, Employee of Upper Peninsula Power Company Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

13 SECOnd-Generation Leader For Janet Wolfe, Community Relations Leader for Upper Peninsula Power Company, being the community s go-to person is simply part of her family DNA. My mother was very community-minded. I remember waking up at two in the morning, and my mother, a Red Cross Home Service Volunteer, would be on the phone trying to bring a serviceman home for a family emergency, said Wolfe. At age 16, I used to roll my eyes, but I m proud of that now. Wolfe s role as a community/corporate resource is especially critical in Michigan s Upper Peninsula, We do not have a large number of corporations, and there are very few foundations for the communities to go to for help. We feel a strong responsibility. Wolfe is Upper Peninsula Power s central liaison for corporate giving: administering grants through WPS Resources Foundation; managing the company s United Way campaign, and coordinating the volunteer efforts and charitable donations of employees and retirees. I have such a good feeling, because I see where we spend our money and how much good we do. In small districts, where there is no formal United Way campaign, Upper Peninsula Power allows employees to give to charities that are meaningful to them and then matches the gifts dollar for dollar. The employees give so much, says Janet, noting that contributions have supported programs from providing free mammograms through the Ontonagon County Cancer Association to helping the Humane Society provide food and shelter during a bitter Upper Peninsula winter. You ll find Wolfe busily engaged with a wide variety of community projects, from writing grants for the Ontonagon Theater and polishing one up for the Historical Society to serving in Rotary to running the lights at the Ontonagon Theater her particular passion. Thanks to long-term support from WPS Resources Foundation, the beautifully restored community theater enriches both the area s culture and its economy. Wolfe is only one of many Upper Peninsula Power employees involved in their communities, from local blood drives to buffalo chili fundraisers. I rely on our employees throughout the district to help me, and they re eager to pitch in, she says. If there s something important going on that improves community life, the people of Upper Peninsula Power are there. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 13

14 The successes Wisconsin Public Service can bring to our community, the strength we can provide, it just makes our communities better places to live. JENNIFER SHORT Volunteer Coordinator, Community Liaison, Leader of the Parade, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

15 The Public Face You never quite know where you ll find Jenny Short, the face of Wisconsin Public Service in Menominee County, Michigan, and Marinette, Oconto, and eastern Forest Counties in Wisconsin. She may be leading a parade of volunteers on a civic project. Or, she might be planning a parade route for 200 floats. It s all in a day s work as a Community Relations Leader. Love of community is one of the reasons Short was attracted to a career at Wisconsin Public Service. The company allows us actually encourages us to be involved in the community. It was a fit for my personal values, she said. Short is involved in almost every aspect of community. She serves on the board of the American Red Cross and is chair of the fundraising committee. She s also active in helping organizations gain funding from WPS Resources Foundation for community projects, such as the recent renovation of Spies Community Athletic Field, or the ongoing support of the Twin Cities Free Clinic, a provider of no-cost medical services to people with incomes below federal poverty guidelines. You ll find her representing Wisconsin Public Service through Mini-Business World, a two-day educational event sponsored by the Marinette/Menominee and Peshtigo Chambers of Commerce. Modeled on a successful state-level program, the event brings together teams of high school students, who compete in a simulated business setting. During the popular event, participants are judged on how well they invent, market, and manufacture products in the unpredictable world of business. Short is also active in the Chamber Leadership Academy, a program started in 2003 by a Wisconsin Public Service employee. The Academy identifies and mentors up-and-coming community leaders, who meet, look at different issues, and gain a better understanding of dynamics within their community. Short s personal pet project is the City of Menominee s Waterfront Festival, where she works on the overall planning committee as well as organizes the event s popular two-hour parade. The Festival is just cool. People plan their class reunions, family gatherings, and even summer vacations around it. There s music, kids activities, awesome fireworks, and food. This is a true community celebration. Serving more than two dozen communities, Jenny is quick to point out that Wisconsin Public Service employees provide valuable assistance in all areas of community. We have employees living and involved in all of our outlying communities. Our employees are involved in charities, municipal government, school boards, all those things, Jenny said. We want to be partners in the community, not just here providing natural gas and electricity. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 15

16 Many of our employees love to volunteer in their communities, and they just need to know what s going on and how they can help. LYNN KROLL Chair of Brown County Breakfast on the Farm, Volunteer Coordinator, Communicator, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

17 Conduit and Connecting Point Lynn Kroll and Paul Bredael exhibit two very different faces of community leadership. Kroll comes from an agricultural background, Bredael, from a career in social work. But their deep sense of caring is a common denominator. Both served as Community Relations Leaders in the Lakeshore area during the past year, representing Wisconsin Public Service throughout Door, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, and Kewaunee Counties in Wisconsin. Kroll, who replaced Bredael when he transitioned into public affairs at Wisconsin Public Service s corporate office, says being a Community Relations Leader is a 24-7 mindset. Everything you do, you have a heartfelt concern for the issues that impact the community, from rates that affect our customers to opportunities to support our communities through WPS Resources Foundation, she explained. Kroll is constantly serving as the conduit between company and community. It s a huge resource for our communities to have someone who takes the time to attend meetings and functions, bringing that information back to the company and to volunteers who can help. Through the efforts of Bredael and Kroll, those connections are making an important difference. Grants from WPS Resources Foundation helped establish the Lakeshore Interfaith Hospitality Network, a new consortium that partners with churches to provide shelter for homeless families. In addition, the Foundation PAUL BREDAEL assisted FISC financial counseling, a non-profit group Community Relations that provides debt counseling, and supported the work Consultant, Employee of of the Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center. Wisconsin Public Service Since 1996 Funding also helped support the Farm Market Kitchen in Algoma, a business incubator with a state-certified kitchen where emerging entrepreneurs produce food products furthered the Door-Kewaunee Business & Education Partnership helped to fund the restoration of the historic JE Hamilton House in Two Rivers and helped plan for an educational center for the Great Lakes Spaceport Education Foundation in Sheboygan. The company also invested in human capital, serving on the Hispanic Consortium, supporting the creation of diversity circles, and establishing Sail, a young professionals networking group with the Chamber of Commerce that accelerated from zero to more than 60 members in a few short months. Bredael believes that WPS Resources commitment to community is lived out in a visible way. As a company, we re involved in things that really matter to people, and that make a difference in our communities. We do truly value giving back. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 17

18 Our communities live and die by the health of the economy. The future for all of us lies in strong, vibrant, growing communities. TED PENN Economic Development Leader, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

19 Sweat Equity, Working Capital A healthy economy equals a healthy community. It s a simple formula, but a complex challenge for communities with limited economic development resources. That s why you ll find Wisconsin Public Service s Economic Development team, led by Ted Penn, partnering with municipalities on a wide range of business growth and retention initiatives. Regional Economic Development Corporations are one approach to leveraging individual community efforts. These organizations operate on a countywide level to focus and market the collective strengths of area communities. Projects range from funding studies on business expansion to marketing the area on a regional level. Wisconsin Public Service has been instrumental in forming six of these corporations in the past year, from providing financial support to lending boardroom expertise. Another way Wisconsin Public Service energizes local economies is through the support of business incubators unique facilities that provide fledgling office or light manufacturing businesses with affordable space, shared office equipment, and business mentoring services. These incubators offer valuable start-up options to help local entrepreneurs survive and grow when they are most financially vulnerable. Economic Development also works closely with communities to attract new businesses and encourage existing industry: partnering on spec buildings in new industrial parks; helping manufacturers seek funding for energy-efficient equipment and lighting; even pursuing government grants to help businesses compete for make-or-break contracts. Downtown business districts, the most visible indicators of community pride and heritage, are also the focus of Economic Development. Through financial and leadership support of the Main Street Program, Wisconsin Public Service has assisted nearly a dozen communities to revitalize their downtowns based on each district s unique assets, distinctive architecture, and local ownership. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 19

20 We want to help you live and work safely near natural gas and electricity. KAREN PALMER Public Safety Education Consultant, Employee of Wisconsin Public Service Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

21 Keeping Communities Safe Saving lives. Reducing injuries. Reducing costs through lowered liability. That s the community commitment of the Wisconsin Public Service public safety program. At the heart of the program is Karen Palmer, who helps communities work and live safely near natural gas and electric facilities. You ll find Karen and her safety team bringing consistent, clear safety messages to a variety of community groups, training fire departments, police, and first responders; addressing community organizations such as Lions Clubs; and working with excavators, contractors, sign companies, landscapers, and others concerned with above- and below-ground safety. Educating young people is one of Karen s top priorities. Currently the Wisconsin Public Service safety curriculum reaches over half the elementary and middle schools in our service territory. Using pre- and post-testing to measure the clarity of these critical safety messages, the program rates student understanding at 95 percent or greater following presentations. Real-life stories reveal the bottom-line results. In northern Wisconsin, a school bus hit a utility pole, causing live wires to come in contact with the bus. A middle school student, who recently attended a path-to-ground safety presentation, insisted students remain safely inside the bus until the utility de-energized the wires, saving the students from dangerous, even potentially fatal, electrical contact. Measurable data also points to the program s impact. In a recent audit from the corporation s liability insurer, our public safety practices were recognized as among the best in the industry. A centralized accident reporting system, tracking third-party accidental damages, such as dig-ins or contact with overhead power lines, confirms that community safety incidents and severity have decreased for the last three years, saving lives and preventing injuries throughout our communities. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 21

22 Even in a competitive energy market, customers recognize there s something more. MIKE WELCH Marketing Communications Manager, WPS Energy Services, Employed by Affiliates of WPS Resources Corporation Since WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

23 Wired for Good Citizenship Throughout WPS Resources, empowering communities remains a constant value even in the competitive deregulated marketplace. While cost is a driving factor, customers still recognize the value of corporate citizenship. That s why WPS Energy Services, Inc. a WPS Resources Corporation subsidiary that serves nonregulated natural gas and electric markets is generating charitable resources for community needs throughout 18 states and 3 Canadian provinces. Led by Marketing Communications Manager Mike Welch, a threemember charitable giving team assesses community needs, evaluates critical projects, and funds capital improvements to bring hope and opportunity. In 2005, WPS Energy Services was a conduit for a $100,000 charitable contribution to the Cleveland Foundation, helping the city to bridge the digital divide. The contribution will be used to create technology centers throughout the City of Cleveland, Ohio, where residents who are not able to afford Internet access can become literate in technology, learn the latest software, and connect to the many resources on the World Wide Web. The company also supported the expansion of a Ronald McDonald House in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; contributed to the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation; and generated enterprise-wide support of local Salvation Army programs. The involvement didn t stop there. When the Hummel s Wharf Fire Company, a department that serves the company s Sunbury power plant in Pennsylvania, began a capital campaign to upgrade its fire station facilities, WPS Energy Services was a first responder. Another grant helped the community of Cassville, Wisconsin, build a new shelter in Riverside Park, making the park more accessible to seniors and the handicapped. These stories demonstrate just some of the many ways WPS Energy Services is supplying something more than energy to the communities we serve. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 23

24 2005 Financial Contributions in Our Communities Above and Beyond Corporation Adolescent Parenting Coalition, Inc. Aging Resource Center of Brown County Aging Resource Center of Kewaunee County, Inc. Agricultural Heritage & Resources, Inc. Aldo Leopold Association of Parents, Teachers & Others, Inc. Alzheimer s Association Alzheimer s Disease and Related Disorders Association American Cancer Society, Inc. American Diabetes Association American Guild of Organists American Heart Association, Inc. American Lung Association of Wisconsin American Parkinson Disease Association American Red Cross America s Second Harvest Ashwaubenon Citizen Academy Alumni Association, Inc. Ashwaubenon Youth Football Club, Inc. ASPIRO, Inc. Baraga County Community Foundation Bay Area Medical Center Foundation, Inc. Bay Cliff Health Camp Bay De Noc Community College Foundation Bellin Foundation, Inc. Bellin Memorial Hospital Bethany Christian Services Bethel Foundation Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. Big Brothers, Big Sisters of The Fox Valley Region Blue Line Hockey Club, Inc. Bond Community Center, Inc. Bootjack Fire & Rescue Foundation, Inc. Boy Scouts of America Boys & Girls Club Brown County Civic Music Association, Inc. Calumet All Sports Booster Club, Inc. Calumet County Tourism Association, Inc. Calumet Nature Studies Calumet Theatre Company Calvary Academy Foundation, Inc. Camp Daniel, Inc. Camp Quality Michigan Capitol Civic Centre, Inc. Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Green Bay, Inc. Center for the Visual Arts Cerebral Palsy, Inc. Childrens Health Care Foundation Childrens Hospital Foundation, Inc. City of Kewaunee Fire Department City of Oshkosh Public Museum City of Menominee Waterfront Festival City of Two Rivers Parks & Recreation Department Civil Air Patrol Co-Care, Inc. Community Foundation for Delta County Michigan Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, Inc. Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula Compassionate Friends, Inc. Concerned Hearts Club Northwest Region Cup O Joy Christian Coffee House, Inc. De Pere Christian Outreach De Pere Citizens Academy Alumni Association, Inc. De Pere Girls Softball Association De Pere Historical Society, Inc. De Pere Lions Club Scholarship Foundation, Inc. De Pere Police Department De Pere Rapides Youth Soccer Club,Inc. Dial Help, Inc. Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Inc. Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust Domestic Abuse Support Center, Inc., of Shawano County Door County Memorial Hospital Downtown Green Bay Charitable, Inc. Ducks Unlimited Easter Seals Einstein Project, Inc. Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc. Encompass Child Care, Inc. Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Family Educational Broadcasting Corp. Family Services of Northeast WI, Inc. Family Violence Center, Inc. Felician Senior Living Community (St. Mary s Home) Finlandia University FISC Consumer Credit Counseling of Door County, Inc. Focus on the Family Forest County Little League Foundation of the Unified School District of Antigo, Inc. Freedom House Mission Ministries, Inc. Friends of Spies Public Library Friends of St. Patrick s, Inc. Girl Scouts of America Lac-Baie Council Girl Scouts of America Manitou Council Glacierland Resource Conservation & Development Goodwill Industries of Northern Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, Inc. Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. Great Lakes Spaceport Education Foundation, Inc. Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Inc. Greater Ishpeming Commission on Aging Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. Green Bay Botanical Garden, Inc. Green Bay Boy & Girl Choir, Inc. Green Bay Community Theater Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Inc. Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Heritage Hill Foundation Hispanic Community Center, Inc. Hmong Association of Green Bay, Inc. Holy Family Memorial, Inc. Houghton County Historical Museum Society Humane Society, Inc. Hummel s Wharf Fire Company, Inc. International Listening Association International Wolf Center Jasper Pickett Foundation, Inc. Junior Achievement, Inc. Juvenile Diabetes Research Kewaunee County Economic Development Corp. Keweenaw Community Foundation Keweenaw County Historical Society KI Sawyer Community Association Kippenberg Creek Kids, Inc. Kiwanis Club of Sheboygan Charitable Foundation, Inc. Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation Lakeland Hawks Ice Association Lakeshore Chorale, Inc. Lakeshore Communications Lakeshore Interfaith Hospitality Network of Manitowoc County, Inc. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Inc. Libertas Treatment Center for Chemically Dependent Lincoln County Emergency Medical Service Lincoln Park Zoological Society Literacy Council of Brown County Living Lakes Heritage, Inc. Lupus Foundation of America Wisconsin Chapter, Inc. Lykens Girls Softball Association Machickanee Players Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, Inc. Manitowoc Aviation Resources, Inc. Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center, Inc. Manitowoc Two Rivers Area Chamber Foundation, Inc. Marathon County Public Library Foundation, Inc. March of Dimes Marinette Area Chamber Foundation, Inc. Marinette County Marinette County Historical Society, Inc. Marquette Community Foundation Marquette General Hospital, Inc. Marquette Range Iron Mining Heritage Theme Park, Inc. Marshfield Clinic Mercy Health Foundation, Inc. Merrill Area Concert Association Meyer Theater Corporation Midstate Independent Living Military Veterans Museum Foundation, Inc. Minocqua Winter Park Trail Fund Corp. Mothers Against Drunk Driving Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc. Music Parents, Inc. National Multiple Sclerosis Society National Park Conservation Association National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer National Railroad Museum, Inc. 24 WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

25 National Society to Prevent Blindness National Wild Turkey Federation National Wildlife Federation Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Inc. Nature Conservancy, Inc. Neenah Baseball, Inc. Neighbor to Neighbor Door County Volunteers, Inc. Neighborhood Housing Services of Green Bay, Inc. Neville Public Museum New Community Clinic New Community Shelter, Inc. New Curative Rehabilitation, Inc. New Holstein Historical Society, Inc. NEW Zoological Society, Inc. Newport Wilderness Society, Inc. Next Door Theatre, Inc. Nicolet College Foundation, Inc. Nicolet Search Team, Inc. Northeast Wisconsin Beat the Heat Corp. Northern Health Centers, Inc. Northland Lutheran Services for the Elderly, Inc. Northwestern Michigan College Foundation Omega House, Inc. On Broadway, Inc. Oneida Council of Camp Fire USA Oneida County Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts, Inc. Optimist Club of Green Bay Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Oshkosh Opera House Foundation, Inc. Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra Partners for Community Development, Inc. Paul s Pantry, Inc. Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. Peter s Pantry, Inc. Pine Mountain Music Festival, Inc. Place 2-B Ltd. Portage County Business Council Foundation, Inc. Portage County Department on Aging Portage County Youth on Ice, Inc. Positive Voice PTA Wisconsin Congress Raptor Education Group, Inc. Rawhide, Inc. Rebuilding Together of Greater Green Bay, Inc. Rebuilding Together Sheboygan County Rhinelander Area Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Riverside Medical Center, Inc. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. Rotary Foundation of Green Bay, Inc. SADD Students Against Drunk Driving, Inc. Salvation Army Service League of Green Bay, Inc. Service League of Manitowoc County, Inc. Sheboygan Community Theater Foundation, Inc. Special Olympics of Wisconsin, Inc. St. Jude Children s Research Hospital St. Mary s Hospital St. Mary s Hospital Foundation, Inc. St. Mary s Hospital Medical Center of Green Bay, Inc. St. Vincent DePaul Society St. Vincent Hospital The Alger Regional Community Foundation, Inc. The Conservation Fund Town Line 4-H Club Town of Minocqua Town of Morrison Volunteer Fire Department Town of Plum Lake Traverse Area Recreation & Transportation Trails, Inc. Trees for Tomorrow, Inc. Trout Unlimited Twin Counties Free Clinic, Inc. Two Rivers Ecumenical Pantry Two Rivers Main Street, Inc. United Fund of Chilton, Inc. United Fund of Kewaunee County Wisconsin, Inc. United Way, Inc. Unity Limited Partnership University of Wisconsin Foundation University of Wisconsin Green Bay University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation, Inc. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Foundation, Inc. Upper Peninsula Children s Museum, Inc. U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame Utility Business Education Coalition Vilas County Youth Coalition, Inc. Village of Allouez for Little League Village of Ashwaubenon Village of Bellevue Village of Cassville Village of Crivitz Village of Denmark Volunteer Fire Department Volunteer Center, Inc. Wa Wui Ltd. Waupaca Area Parks Foundation Waupaca Community Chest, Inc. Wausau Conservatory of Music Wausau Health Foundation Wausau Hospitals, Inc. Wausaukee Rescue Squad, Inc. Weidner Center Presents, Inc. White Pine Community Broadcasting, Inc. William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, Inc. Winnebago County Park View Health Center Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. Wisconsin Council of the Blind, Inc. Wisconsin Council on Economic Education, Inc. Wisconsin Foundation for School Music Wisconsin Foundation of Independent Colleges, Inc. Wisconsin History Foundation, Inc. Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. Wisconsin Public Radio Association, Inc. Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Inc. WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network, Inc. Young Community, Inc. YMCA (Young Men s Christian Assoc.) YWCA (Young Women s Christian Assoc.) Agriculture Department Sponsorships Amherst Fair Brown County 4-H Brown County Breakfast on the Farm Calumet County Dairy Promotion Committee Dairy Business Association of Wisconsin Leadership Awards Kewaunee Agricultural Heritage & Resources Madison Area Technical College Farmstead Rewiring Course Manitowoc County Ag After Hours Event Manitowoc County Breakfast on the Dairy Farm Marinette CountyJuneDairy Month Breakfast Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce Sponsor/2005 June Dairy Breakfast Sponsor/Kiddie Tractor Pull Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University Midwest Rural Energy Council National Food and Energy Council Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Farm Tour Portage County Business Council Agribusiness Tour Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce Ag Adventure Tent at Wisconsin Valley Fair June Dairy Breakfast Wisconsin Agribusiness Foundation Wisconsin FFA Foundation Ag Mechanics Design & Fabrication Proficiency Award Ag Mechanics Energy Systems Proficiency Award General Fund Marketing Plan Career Development Event National Chapter Award Wisconsin Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Program Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association Wisconsin Veal Growers Association WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 25

26 2005 Beneficiaries of WPS Resources Foundation 36% 4% 28% 6% 26% Health & Human Services $ 404,605 Education 305,925 Civic & Community 283,099 Culture & Art 69,028 Environmental 43,617 Total $1,106, WPS Resources Foundation Matching Gifts Program There were 508 employee/retiree participants. $115,874 Employee and Retiree Gifts $49,780 Foundation Matching Gifts $165,654 Total Gifts Dollars for Doers Dollars for Doers is a WPS Resources program that was started in July 2001 to encourage community service. When employees or retirees contribute at least 20 hours of volunteer time, WPS Resources Foundation donates up to $100 to the non-profit organization of their choice. The program focuses on organizations assisting with arts and culture, community and civic affairs, health and human services, and the environment in our service territory. In 2005, 134 employees and retirees participated in this program, giving 12,222 total volunteer hours, resulting in $12,550 in donations from WPS Resources Foundation. 26 WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION

27 WPS Resources Corporation Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, WPS Resources Corporation is a holding company whose diversified system of companies serves regulated and nonregulated energy markets across North America. Regulated Operations Nonregulated Operations Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, the principal subsidiary WPS Energy Services, Inc., established in 1994, is an integrated of WPS Resources, is a regulated electric and natural gas utility nonregulated generating and marketing subsidiary of WPS Resources based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Established in 1883, the company Corporation. The diversified energy supply and services company serves 424,615 electric customers and 307,540 natural gas operates in the retail and wholesale nonregulated energy marketplace, customers throughout northeast and central Wisconsin, and in an serving the northeast quadrant of the United States, adjacent portions adjacent portion of Upper Michigan. More than 2,300 Public Service of Canada, and energy-intensive regions of Texas and Alberta, Canada. employees provide energy products and services through a network WPS Energy Services also owns and operates nonregulated electric of local offices to residential, farm, commercial, industrial, and generation facilities. The company s portfolio of products includes wholesale customers. natural gas, electric, and alternative fuel products; patented real-time Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) is a regulated subsidiary energy management services; energy-utilization consulting; and of WPS Resources Corporation, which provides electricity to 52,167 project development and management. customers in the primarily rural countryside of Upper Michigan. Established in 1884, the company serves customers throughout 99 communities located over a 4,500-square-mile area. The company is based in Houghton, Michigan. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation Upper Peninsula Power Company WPS Energy Services, Inc. WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 27

28 700 North Adams Street Green Bay, WI Printed on paper that contains 10% post-consumer fiber, using environmentally conscientious vegetable inks WPS Resources Corporation