MAYS LANDING, N.J. - On behalf of the PHI Community Foundation, Atlantic City Electric - through its Ninth Annual Charity Golf Classic - has donated $46,000 to support the School Based Programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, and BBBS of Cumberland and Salem counties.

Through the BBBS School Based Program, a BBBS mentor or "Big" meets with a student or "Little" in a school setting once a week. The goal of the program is that through talking, playing games and sharing interests, a friendship is formed during this one-to-one mentoring and that the mentor's guidance, support and encouragement helps the student reach his or her full potential in school and in everyday life.

Atlantic City Electric is committed to supporting local organizations that make a difference in the lives of others through volunteer initiatives, charitable contributions and community outreach endeavors.

"It's important for every child to have a role model. A BBBS mentor can support a child in a variety of ways, including building self-confidence, which can have a tremendous positive impact in a child's life," said Erica McLeod, acting CEO, BBBS of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. "The funding from Atlantic City Electric will help support our program and enable us to expand this service to serve more children."

Vince Maione, Atlantic City Electric region president, said, "we are honored to support Big Brothers Big Sisters in their mission to provide strong and enduring relationships for children facing adversity."

This year, the BBBS school-based mentoring program served about 500 youth in Camden, Cumberland, Burlington, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Since its inception in 2006, the PHI Community Foundation's Atlantic City Electric Golf Classic has raised more than $1.1 million for nonprofit organizations in South Jersey.

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