(September 29, 2009) - Twenty-five years ago, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division employees pioneered a program, Project MAX, to help repair and weatherize homes and build wheelchair ramps for low-income, elderly and disabled residents in Memphis and Shelby County.

MLGW will celebrate the program's 25th anniversary with Project MAX founders, coordinators, volunteers and beneficiaries at a special luncheon at BRIDGES on October 7.

Over its 25-year history, Project MAX has made repairs to more than 4,000 homes. During that time, more than 113,000 volunteer hours have been donated to the program by more than 2,300 volunteers.

Project MAX insulates attics, weather-strips doors, caulks windows, constructs wheelchair ramps, makes some plumbing and minor carpentry repairs, and also helps out by supplying materials for clients who have skilled volunteers.

Project MAX has been a mainstay of MLGW's volunteer programs. In 1989, MLGW was honored for its employee-volunteer efforts by the Thousand Points of Light Foundation. In addition to MLGW volunteers, Project MAX also engages other organizations in the area to provide volunteers on worksites.

The Project MAX 25 Years of Community Service celebration will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2009, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at BRIDGES, 477 N. 5th Street. Attendance is by invitation; the media is invited to attend.

For more information, contact MLGW Communications and Public Relations at (901) 528-4557.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.