Duke Energy South Carolina boosts Clarendon's coronavirus supplies

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CLARENDON COUNTY - Duke Energy South Carolina came to the aid of Clarendon County's first responders this week. Theo Lane, the utility's government and community relations district manager, delivered gallons of hand sanitizer and 500 N95 face masks to county and Manning officials.

"My counterparts and I heard that many of the rural counties that we represent were experiencing problems receiving needed supplies from state agencies," Lane said. "Because of the strain they were experiencing, we decided to do what we could as a group to help."

Lane said that even though Duke Energy as a corporation had committed more than $2.4 million in assistance due to COVID-19, he and his team could also help.

"There are seven of us," Lane added. "We secured hand sanitizer and masks, and then I divided among the group."

Lane said that on April 28 he delivered 500 N95 masks and more than a dozen gallons of hand sanitizer to officials in Clarendon County.

Lane said the supplies would be shared between several organizations and groups including nursing homes, sheriff's office, police departments and other first responders.

He also encouraged groups that are using pump bottles of hand sanitizer to keep the bottles and have them refilled from the gallon bottles in an effort to share the supply with as many groups as possible.

Manning Mayor Julia A. Nelson expressed her gratitude to Lane for Duke Energy's continued support of Manning and Clarendon County.

"Duke Energy continues to be a great community partner," Nelson said. "Theo Lane is always interested in ways that Duke Energy can improve our community and the lives of our citizens."