Georgia Power joined the Northeast Georgia Speech Center (NGASC) and iHeartMedia to announce a $15,000 donation to support speech and language services for children across the region, The contribution will help extend and sustain specialized therapy programs and support for children facing speech, language and communication challenges.

The collaboration includes a statewide messaging campaign to raise awareness for the Center’s mission, reinforcing that the need for speech therapy exceeds the current supply of speech-language pathologists and available services in the region. NGASC currently provides an average of 500 speech therapy sessions each month—approximately 6,000 sessions annually. Without the Center, individuals and families would have to seek services from other area providers, many of which already have waiting lists that can extend up to nine months.

“A voice is more than words—it is connection, confidence, belonging, and the ability to participate in life,” said Tae Richmond, Clinical Director & Speech Therapist, Northeast Georgia Speech Center. “Through our partnership with Georgia Power and iHeart, we can amplify the need, inspire our community to Give the Gift of Speech, and help ensure Northeast Georgia Speech Center remains part of the solution for the thousands of therapy sessions our community depends on each year. Every child deserves a voice.”

In addition to the donation, the Citizens of Georgia Power employee volunteer group hosted a supply drive to collect essential items for the Center, which was celebrated with a check presentation and supplies delivery alongside the Center’s leadership team, clinicians and board of directors.

“At Georgia Power, being a citizen wherever we serve means supporting the organizations that strengthen our communities,” said Glennis Barnes, area manager at Georgia Power. “We're proud to partner with iHeartMedia and the Northeast Georgia Speech Center to help expand access to these important services and support the Center's mission through the generosity of our local employees.”

This national collaboration is made possible through the iHeartImpact program, a community impact division of iHeartMedia designed to help corporate brands partner with nonprofits through their advertising spend with iHeartMedia. 

“Supporting communities is central to iHeart’s mission, and we’re proud to partner with Georgia Power and Northeast Georgia Speech Center to help ensure children and families across Georgia have access to the speech and language services they need,” said Taylor Tomczysyzn, Director of iHeartMedia’s iHeartImpact division.

NGASC’s ongoing Fund the Mission initiative provides critical support for therapy, specialized programs and education, helping the Center meet needs beyond what fees and other funding sources can cover. Through Give the Gift of Speech, NGASC invites the community to become part of that mission—helping make life-changing communication services available to those who need them.