SJI Donates $46,000 to the South Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross

FOLSOM, NJ, March 25, 2025 – Today, SJI presented the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross with a donation check totaling $46,026 from the company’s annual employee giving campaign. Donations to various organizations of the Campaign totaled a record amount of more than $350,000.

“The American Red Cross is grateful to the generous employees of South Jersey Industries who have pledged more than $23,000 to our humanitarian work,” said Rachel Lippoff, executive director, American Red Cross of Southern New Jersey. “We are equally grateful to SJI for matching their employees’ giving, bringing the total amount of pledged support for the Red Cross from SJI to more than $46,000. We value this ongoing partnership, and we look forward to many years of collaboration with SJI to help prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”

The mission of the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross is to aim to prevent and relieve suffering with every action. The organization shelters, feeds and provides comfort to people affected by disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.

SJI is also proud to announce the appointment of Shawn Abner-Purnell, Chief Diversity Officer, SJI, to the Board of the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross. Abner-Purnell replaces Donna Schempp, Chief Administration Officer, SJI, who has served on the Board for nine years.

“We are grateful for the many years Donna Schempp has dedicated to the American Red Cross, working with various committees and volunteering in the community while serving on our Board of Directors,” said Rachel Lippoff, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southern New Jersey. “It is our pleasure to welcome Shawn Abner-Purnell to the Southern New Jersey Board. We know Shawn will continue the SJI legacy of leadership and service providing care for those suffering in the face of emergencies.”

“It has been an honor to serve on the Board of the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross for the past nine years,” said Donna Schempp, Chief Administrative Officer, SJI. “To execute on the organization’s mission of providing care and support to so many in need due to unforeseen circumstances is truly fulfilling and rewarding.”

“I am excited to join the Board of the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross to continue the efforts of providing comfort and relief to those in the communities we serve,” said Shawn Abner-Purnell, Chief Diversity Officer, SJI. “It is an honor to be part of an organization that embodies compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to helping others in their darkest hours.”

SJI prides itself on being a committed community partner, assisting local, regional and statewide organizations that deliver critical support to those in need, providing vital funding and contributing a significant amount of volunteer hours to programs that benefit the communities we serve.