August 1, 1999
Sierra Pacific Resources
Contact: Bob Sagan or Karl Walquist
Phone: (775)834-4345

For Immediate Release

Utility Donates $10,000, Food, Labor

Sierra Pacific employees collected $10,000 to donate to Animal Ark in light of damage done to the park due to the recent Fish Complex Fire near Red Rock. In three days, more than 100 Sierra employees raised $5,000 for the park. The Sierra Pacific Foundation matched this amount dollar for dollar, for a total of $10,000.

In response to local news broadcasts, employees began searching for ways to help the non-profit park, and with a company-wide effort, food and money contributions began pouring in.

The $10,000 check will be presented to The Animal Ark on Thursday, September 2, at 2 p.m. at The Animal Ark on 1265 Deerlodge Road.

"We never dreamed that we would get such an overwhelming response," said Karen Foster, Sierra Pacific community relation's manager."This was an impressive group of community-minded individuals."

Sierra Pacific will continue to offer support to Animal Ark as it works to repair damage done by the fire. Later this September, Sierra Pacific construction crews plan to widen and"gravel" the Ark's access road off Deerlodge Road, to help avoid future evacuation and fire fighting complications. In October, Sierra Pacific volunteers will also help to clear burnt trees and vegetation, as well as design and instigate a plan for re-vegetation on Animal Ark grounds.

Animal Ark is a non-profit organization that provides a home for orphaned, unwanted, confiscated, or permanently disabled animals that cannot live in the wild. The organization relies on private support for operation.