Season of Giving Initiative Day proclaimed in Port Arthur
Published 12:06 am Thursday, December 7, 2023
- Pictured, from left, are Port Arthur News publisher Stephen Hemelt, Sempra Infrastructure external affairs director Kelly Prasser, Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie, Bechtel community engagement specialist Dawanna Jones, Bechtel local program manager Helene Blair and Brooklyn Sampere, community outreach specialist for Port Arthur LNG Project. (Courtesy photo)
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It’s official; Dec. 5, 2023, was proclaimed as LNG’s Season of Giving Initiative Day in the City of Port Arthur.
The honor was bestowed Tuesday during a city council meeting.
Port Arthur LNG’s Season of Giving Initiative, in partnership with Bechtel and the Port Arthur News, awarded $100,000 in grants to 41 local non-profit and community based organizations that in turn help Port Arthur and Sabine Pass residents.
Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie holds up the PA LNG Season of Giving poster which highlights those served through the effort with support of Bechtel and the Port Arthur News. (Courtesy photo)
Kelly Prasser, external affairs director for Sempra Infrastructure, said when the initiative first started three years ago organizers collected approximately eight applications and gave out between $10,000 and $12,000.
“And because of our partnership with the Port Arthur News and Bechtel, we’ve been able to, as you can see, take this a step up,” Prasser said. “And we really are here to acknowledge and celebrate all the organizations. It’s the organizations doing the hard lifting here, and we just feel privileged to be connected with them.”
Prasser also gave thanks to city leaders for helping connect with some of the organizations that are making a difference in the community every day.
She explained criteria for the grant was that the organization provide services to Port Arthur and Sabine Pass communities, and though some grant recipients are outside the area, they provide service to those areas.
A total of 61 organizations submitted applications in 2023 for the Season of Giving. She said it was difficult to get the number down to the 41 recipients.
Councilman Donald Frank thanks Prasser for the initiative and for being part of the community and sharing that they have to offer.
“We’re just grateful that you’re in our community,” Frank said.
Mayor Thurman Bartie said he was excited for everything accomplished in 2023 and more enthusiastic for the work that is still to come from the participating businesses.
