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Samaritans Director Receives Award at Community Social Services Conference

 More than 5,200 northwest Mississippi families have benefited from Jim Glass’ volunteerism.  As a result, Entergy Mississippi Inc has named Glass as the 2010 recipient of its “Making Things Brighter” award.

The award recognizes outstanding advocates for low-income Mississippians and is given annually at the Partnership Conference, a low-income Summit sponsored by Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies. 

Glass serves as executive director of the Samaritans in Horn Lake.  In this position, he manages a volunteer staff that helps thousands of families with their utility bills, prescription medicines, rent, food and clothing.

The Samaritans administer Entergy Mississippi’s “Power To Care” funds in northwest Mississippi.  The fund, which is supported by donations from customers, employees, and shareholders, helps low-income elderly Mississippians pay their electric bills. 

Entergy’s shareholders match the first $500,000 in donations each year.  Glass was co chair for two fundraisers with the Mississippi RiverKings hockey team in late 2009 and early 2010 which raised more than $11,000 for the Power To Care fund and for the Samaritans.              

“Jim Glass is also the full-time pastor of Southaven First United Methodist Church, and is the epitome of a person who serves his community and who truly loves his community,” said Patrick Nelson, regional customer service manager for Entergy.  “He is truly “making things brighter” for children and the elderly in northwest Mississippi – a population whose needs otherwise would not be served.”

Entergy Mississippi 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.

Ken Cockrell, president of Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies; Jim Glass, director of The Samaritans in Horn Lake; and David Bradley, director of National Community Action Foundation, Washington, D.C.(left-to-right) (Courtesy photo)