special to the democrat

Natchez — You’re invited to experience Entergy’s power to care.

Entergy customers and Natchez residents will determine the winners of $125,000 in grants in The Power to Care Challenge, an online contest in which selected non-profits will vie for $25,000 prizes based on votes by Facebook users.

From now through Dec. 31, voters can visit facebook.com/thepowertocare and vote twice a month for their favorite nonprofit agency. Agencies with the most votes in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Orleans and Texas will each earn a $25,000 grant from Entergy Corporation.

“There are a lot of great organizations that work to make our communities stronger, and we’re always looking for new and creative ways to support them,” said Tim Runnels, customer service manager for Entergy Mississippi in Natchez. “This time we’re involving the whole community in The Power to Care Challenge so customers and other residents of Natchez can help us make a difference by voting for their favorite nonprofit agency.”

To vote, anyone with a Facebook account can visit The Power to Care page on Facebook.com (facebook.com/thepowertocare). Users must first click the “like” button on The Power to Care page before they can vote.

In Mississippi, the five non-profits competing for a $25,000 grant are:

4 Friends of Children’s Hospital

4 Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson, Inc. — funds to be split among 8 chapters throughout the state

4 Jobs for Mississippi Graduates

4 Mississippi Children’s Museum

4 Mississippi Food Network

“Entergy has a long history of working with local non-profits and community agencies,” said Liz Brister, manager of external affairs for Entergy Mississippi, Inc. “Now anyone with a Facebook account has the power to make a difference, too, just by voting in The Power to Care Challenge from Entergy.”

“We care about our customers and believe very strongly in making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Brister, adding that “grants for programs are being funded by Entergy’s shareholders.”

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 435,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.