Direct Energy: A Proud Member of Your Community

In November 2022, our parent company, NRG Energy, organized its 15th annual positiveNRG Week, which is a time when we come together to positively impact our local communities. As the global hunger crisis continues to create far-reaching impacts on our local communities, our volunteer and giving efforts in 2022 were focused on strengthening food security for those in need. During positiveNRG Week, our Direct Energy Canada team volunteered at Edmonton Meals on Wheels and Calgary Meals on Wheels, helping with meal prep and packing. Find out why Meals on Wheels is an important cause to support in Alberta.

For over 40 years, Camp Alexo which is managed by Youth HQ, has been providing underprivileged kids in the central Alberta area with an opportunity to experience the joy and unforgettable memories of going to summer camp. This year was Direct Energy Canada's third time supporting Camp Alexo as we enjoy giving back and directing our energy towards an organization that genuinely cares about providing equal opportunities for young Albertans and positively impacting their lives through summer camp fun.

During our two-day trip, our employee team helped with campground restoration work as well as clearing small brush and trees along the camp entrance road to enable grater and snow plow maintenance in the winter. In addition to volunteering on-site, Direct Energy Canada has donated $10,000 to Camp Alexo which will help 35 kids attend summer camp next year. Camp Alexo continues to shine bright in our community and we are honored to support this amazing organization that makes us proud to be Albertan.

Direct Energy recognizes outstanding Albertans who have demonstrated exemplary volunteer contributions in their community. The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community service, commitment and involvement. Learn more about our 2022 Volunteer Citizen of the Year, Maria Lau. 

Camp Alexo has been providing underprivileged kids in the central Alberta area with the opportunity to experience summer camp since 1984. This summer, the impacts of COVID-19 prevented the camp from operating its typical camper programs. When we heard Camp Alexo was in need of some TLC, we couldn't turn away from giving back to an organization that puts its heart and soul into positively impacting the lives of young Albertans.

Within two days our employee team was able to help demolish an old woodshed, move and reload their new and improved woodshed, assist with framing their brand-new tool shed, repair the lattice on their main house and start the initial steps for their fire safety initiative. We are incredibly honoured to have partnered with such a caring and respectable organization and we look forward to continuing to build our relationship with people that make us proud to be a part of the Alberta community.

Nothing says Alberta spirit like a tailgate country concert bringing the community together. We had an amazing time this summer during our socially distant Pickup Truck Concert Series, spreading the energy of music at long-term care facilities in High River, Ponoka, and Brooks, Alberta, with the help of local musician Tim Hus and his band. It was heartwarming to watch both the residents and staff clap, dance, and sing along to the upbeat country music. For people who couldn't make it or just wanted to tune in to the live music, our team live-streamed the concerts on our Instagram page.

The Pickup Truck Concert Series was a huge success thanks to the long-term care facilities, the staff, Tim Hus and his team, and the residents. This year has been challenging for everyone, but we don't have to do it alone. Our bright orange truck will be back on the road soon, stay tuned to see when we will be in your community.

With dreams of hot chocolate, classic holiday movies, and tobogganing on our minds, we couldn't be more excited to enjoy the holidays with Albertans this December! Join us in Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, and Lloydminster as we work with local businesses and non-profits in your community to bring you free, family-friendly activities in celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Keep an eye on our Instagram, @directenergyalberta, for event details and updates!

This summer we met an incredible Alberta mom whose energy and story inspired us. Working with an amazing team we were able to create an accessible backyard oasis for the entire family to enjoy. It was an honour to get to know a remarkable family and be able to provide a special space for them to continue making memories together. Thank you to everyone in the community who helped to bring this project to life. There is nothing truer to the spirit of this province than helping a neighbour—we are so inspired by the energy of everyone involved and proud to be Albertan.

This summer, we visited 23 communities across Alberta, hosted 27 events, handed out over 5,000 treats, supported 5 local charities, and shared countless warm smiles and great memories. It has truly been an incredible journey celebrating summer with you and your families! In every corner of the province, we were blown away by the warmth, kindness and spirit we have encountered along the way.

Thank you for welcoming us into your communities — we are truly humbled and proud to be Albertan. Watch some of the highlights from our journey.

Despite the weather starting to change, we still squeezed out every last moment of summer fun this September by visiting seven more towns and cities throughout Alberta! Whether we were enjoying a day at the pier with families at Sylvan Lake, running in the Dinosaur Half Marathon in Drumheller, or handing out post-run treats at the Terry Fox Run in Grande Prairie, there were so many fantastic moments spent with families across Alberta. Thank you to everyone who we met along the way for their endless energy and enthusiasm!

Watch the video to see some highlights from our lake day at Sylvan Lake.

August has been filled with plenty of cold treats and warm smiles as we continue our journey across Alberta! From chuckwagon action in Lloydminster to arts and crafts in Bonnyville, we have been savouring every moment spent with our fellow Albertans. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello and have some fun with us!

Here is some of the action from one of our favourite days at the CPCA finals in Lloydminster! From the pancake breakfast to the chuckwagon track, we had a great time celebrating with you and your families. We were also proud to have made our third donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster in the past year, to help support the incredible mentorship programming they do for this community.  Check back soon to see more highlights from our summer celebrations!

This July, we hit the road with our Direct Energy treat truck to visit communities across Alberta. From Lethbridge to Grande Prairie, we have loved getting to know our fellow Albertans (and their pups) in every corner of the province… and we aren’t done yet! We have more great family events and celebrations planned in the coming months.

Check out one of the highlights of our summer so far–our Pups in the Park event in Grande Prairie, hosted in partnership with local rescue organization, Bandaged Paws! We can’t wait to share more event highlights with you from communities across the province!

We are excited to be back on the road again this summer bringing a boost of energy to communities across Alberta. Our summer treat team is travelling to towns and cities throughout the province handing out tasty treats and supporting local organizations that matter to you! Learn more about our events here, and be sure to follow @DirectEnergyAlberta on Instagram for the latest details. See you soon, Alberta!

At Direct Energy, we believe that energy is about more than just powering your home. It's about all Albertans who power—and empower—our communities every day with their energy and spirit.

Learn more about the campaign.

In 2018, we had the privilege of traveling to community events across the province with our Direct Energy Treat Truck! We handed out thousands of tasty treats, gave away hundreds of prizes from local businesses and were proud to make donations to six different community non-profits that matter to you. Watch some of the highlights from our journey!