When employees at AmerenUE’s Sioux and Meramec power plants decided on a biscuits and gravy breakfast fundraiser to help the family of Chris Walters, little did they know they’d be serving up his favorite dish. They were simply trying to help out Walters’ family after his death at the Kleen Energy Systems Plant in Middletown, CT, Feb. 7.
Walters, a construction safety manager from Florissant, Mo., took a temporary job at the Connecticut plant to help cover the bills during the economic downturn. His wife, Fran, and their three kids stayed behind in Missouri expecting him to return at the end of March.
Pat Weir, superintendent, Tech Support, at Sioux Plant was a friend of Walters. Weir sent an e-mail to workers at UE’s Sioux, Rush Island, Labadie and Meramec plants asking for donations to aid the Walters family. Two breakfasts and a bratwurst lunch later - employees have raised $2,100. Employees are also sponsoring a drawing and bucket collections to raise money.
In an email to UE employees, Fran says she is “overwhelmed and speechless” by the generosity and kindness of workers during this difficult time in her family’s life.
“Chris worked at a power plant. It wasn’t part of the UE system, but in some ways we’re all part of the same family, so we’re reaching out to his wife and kids offering what we can,” says Rhonda Leach, supervisor, Administrative Services, Sioux Plant.
AmerenUE, founded in 1902, provides electric and gas service to approximately 1.2 million customers across central and eastern Missouri, including the greater St. Louis area. UE serves 57 Missouri counties and 500 towns. The company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. For more information, visit www.amerenue.com.
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Lisa Manzo, 314-578-9018