Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation, a Hope Utilities Company, and Sommers Development Group Partner to Donate $15,000 to United Way of Lake County
August 7, 2026 – Mentor, OH – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) has received a combined $15,000 donation from Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation, a Hope Utilities Company, and Sommers Development Group. Following a $7,500 gift from Sommers Development Group, Northeast Ohio Natural Gas provided a matching donation, doubling the impact while reinforcing the company's commitment to supporting the communities it serves.
On Friday, August 7, 2026, Mark Lower, SIte Manager of Northeast Ohio Natural Gas North Operations, Giselle Felice, Account Executive of Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation – Mentor Office, and Mike Zappitello of Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation, presented United Way of Lake County President & CEO Dione DeMitro with a $7,500 check during a presentation at United Way of Lake County's office, located at 9285 Progress Parkway in Mentor.
Northeast Ohio Natural Gas and Sommers Development Group share a commitment to giving back and investing in the areas they serve, and their combined generosity will help advance UWLC’s mission to measurably improve lives by supporting programs and services that strengthen Lake County.
Headquartered in Morgantown, West Virginia, Hope Utilities operates in Lake County through its local subsidiary, Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation (NEO), based in Mentor. The company is committed to giving back to the communities it serves through volunteerism, charitable giving and community partnerships.
"At NEO, we believe strong communities are built when businesses invest in the people and organizations making a difference every day," said Christine Mitchell, Manager of Communications & Community Affairs for Hope Gas, a Hope Utilities Company; "United Way of Lake County has a long history of bringing people and resources together to address Lake County’s most pressing needs, and we are proud to support its mission through this contribution."
Family-owned Sommers Development Group has developed more than 2,000 residential lots over the past 30 years. Rick and Greg Sommers shared that supporting organizations like United Way of Lake County reflects the company's longstanding commitment to investing in the local community that has contributed to its success.
DeMitro expressed gratitude for the investment made by Northeast Ohio Natural Gas and Sommers Development Group in the community.
"We are incredibly grateful to Northeast Ohio Natural Gas and Sommers Development Group for their generous support and shared commitment to the people of Lake County," said DeMitro. "Partnerships like this help ensure we can continue investing in local programs and initiatives that provide critical resources and create lasting opportunities for individuals and families throughout our community."
United Way of Lake County works year-round to improve lives by investing in programs and initiatives focused on youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security and community resiliency. Through the support of donors, corporate partners and volunteers, the organization helps address the community's greatest needs while creating lasting, measurable impact.