Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to its corporate sponsorship of the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway.
SWEPCO’s sponsorship includes a $15,000 donation to St. Jude, with $2,000 of that amount designated for a milestone ticket purchase prize in the form of a prepaid Visa gift card. Additionally, a $5,000 incentive is provided to Rodgers Homes & Construction to support the installation of energy-efficient products in the Dream Home. These products include heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooking appliances, smart thermostats, encapsulated (insulated) attics, and Zip ( ZIP System™ Roof and Wall Sheathing) board technology for the home's exterior.
This year, the KTBS 3/St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway will take place on September 17. Participants have the chance to win a $675,000 home featuring four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and approximately 3,000 square feet of living space in the Duckwater Landing Subdivision. For more information on the St. Jude Dream Home, visit St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.
In the past seven years alone, SWEPCO has contributed over $120,000 in donations, services, and prizes. The SWEPCO Energy Efficiency & Consumer Programs team works closely with the KTBS 3/St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway builder and trade partners to ensure the home is equipped with the latest energy-efficient and smart home technologies.
This year’s 2024 home will feature Heat Pump Water Heaters. This will be beneficial to the homeowners by providing hot water at a fraction of the cost. The heat pump technology transfers heat from one place to another instead of generating heat, which saves you electricity and money.
"Our goal has always been to ensure the home is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly energy efficient," said Brett Mattison, SWEPCO President and COO. "We take pride in contributing to the comfort and sustainability of the St. Jude Dream Home."
Tracing its roots to the first St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway, SWEPCO has been a key partner in what has become one of the largest fundraising programs for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), responsible for raising funds and awareness for St. Jude, honored SWEPCO with the 2023 Trade Partner of the Year award.
"The St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway is a vital fundraiser that has raised over $650 million since its inception in 1991," said Mattison. "Our relationship with St. Jude is unique as we are the only energy partner in the Dream Home campaign. We are honored to support such a meaningful cause."
“This program has been near and dear to all our hearts at SWEPCO,” said Mattison, a significant supporter of the KTBS 3 St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway since the 1990s. SWEPCO's involvement dates back to the original builder, George Rodgers, who constructed the first KTBS 3/St. Jude Dream Home. This legacy continued with his son, Philip Rodgers.
"We’re proud to see this partnership continue, reflecting our commitment to supporting families and advancing energy efficiency," said Paul Pratt, SWEPCO’s Director of Customer Services and Marketing. "Our collaboration with St. Jude is a natural fit, aligning our mission to meet the needs of the community and providing sustainable energy solutions."
The St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway program was founded by Dr. Donald Mack, a pediatric physician from Shreveport. Builders, subcontractors, vendors, and other sponsors, including SWEPCO, donate their time and resources to construct and furnish the home, as a fundraiser whose primary goal is to ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, allowing them to focus entirely on their child's recovery.