The Association of Development Officers (ADO) has recognized Con Edison with its 2009 award for "Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy" in Westchester County.

ADO cited the diverse organizations the company supports and the utility's role in "contributing to and maintaining the social, cultural and economic vitality in their service area."

"The passion and commitment to improve the human condition is our common strength," said the ADO's Philanthropy Day Chair Linda Karesh. "It is fitting that we pay tribute to that strength now, as exemplified by the outstanding organizations and individuals that have been selected to be honored this year."

Con Edison's nominators included ArtsWestchester, the American Red Cross in Westchester County, the Business Council of Westchester, the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation, the College of New Rochelle, Friends of Rye Nature Center, Greenburgh Nature Center, Grassroots Environmental Education, Historic Hudson Valley, Hudson River Museum, the Jay Heritage Center, the Newspaper in Education/Lend a Hand Foundation (of the Journal News), Scenic Hudson Inc., the Sheldrake Environmental Center, Teatown Lake Reservation, Westchester Community College, Westchester Community Opportunity Programs, the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, Westchester Community Partners and the Westchester Library System.

"Today," noted Con Edison Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Frances Resheske, while accepting the award, "we are partners with more than 145 Westchester organizations -- large and small, established and emerging.

"We call our corporate philanthropy program 'Strategic Partnerships,' and our approach is simple: We work in collaboration with community partners to identify needs, and then assist in creating and funding programs that fulfill them."

An enduring example is one of Con Edison's first philanthropic efforts in the county, the establishment of the Westchester Scholastic Sports Award. Now in its 59th year, it has resulted in the presentation of more than $750,000 in scholarships to more than 2,200 students, representing virtually every high school and community in Westchester. It is among the longest running corporate-sponsored scholar-athlete programs in the nation.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $34 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit Con Edison's Web site at www.conEd.com (http://www.conEd.com) .