Duke Energy donates utility poles to ISU's Sycamore Outdoor Center

The Brazil Times/Frank Phillips Duke Energy workers maneuver a utility pole into position. Each pole weighs about 900 pounds, a worker said.

BRAZIL -- On Monday, Duke Energy crews from Greencastle and Brazil were boring large holes in the earth and setting utility poles. Not for electrical service but as a donation to the Indiana State University Sycamore Outdoor Center.

Matt Porter, the center's resource manager, said the poles will be used for equipment to teach team building.

"We have various groups come out from the community to use the facility," Porter said.

Rick Burger, community relations manager for Duke Energy said the company spends several "community action days" each year, donating manpower, equipment and materials, to help various organizations in West Central Indiana. "I call it sweat equity," Burger said. "You could write a check and make things happen but this is something we go out and do six or eight of these in the Wabash Valley."

"It's a huge thing for us and we really appreciate it," Porter said. "It allows us to actually be able to do it through their donation of time and poles. We wouldn't be able to do it without them."