Apopka woman wins free natural gas service for a year!

From the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District

Happy 60th birthday Lake Apopka Natural Gas District! They say that 60 is the new 50, and speaking of 50, guess who won a free year of natural gas service?

It was 1969. NASA put a man on the moon. The Amazin' New York Mets won the world series, and Bertha McGraw started her natural gas service with LANGD.

Samuel Davis Jr.

At an event the District held on Friday, June 21st, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, McGraw – a District customer for over 50 years, and an Apopka resident – was gifted one year of natural gas service for being the longest active customer on the LANGD books. This gesture represents the District’s deep gratitude to all of its customers for allowing the provider to be a “good neighbor,” and trusting in the District’s delivery of excellent, efficient and friendly service.

Bertha McGraw, an Apopka resident and LANGD customer for 50 years! Photo from the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District.

“For 50 years, we’ve been honored to have Mrs. McGraw as a loyal and happy customer; it was a joy to have the opportunity to give back to her as we celebrate our 60th anniversary,” said District CEO and General Manager Samuel Davis Jr. “Every day, we are incredibly grateful to all of our wonderful customers for allowing us to be a good neighbor, and trusting in us to deliver excellent, efficient and reliable natural gas service.”

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In 1957, forward-looking officials from Apopka, Clermont and Winter Garden recognized the area’s need for a domestic, reliable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy source – natural gas. Sixty years and more than 23,000 customers later, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District is celebrating six decades of excellence in public service, stewardship, and dedication to the communities it serves.

2019 has proven to be a banner 60th year for the District, illustrating the organization’s passionate commitment to growth and service. Recently, the District was recognized as the No. 1 fastest-growing, municipally owned natural gas utility in the state of Florida for 2018, marking the third receipt of this distinction since 2015. This honor is bolstered by a strong record of national and local recognition, including receipt of multiple SOAR Awards from the American Public Gas Association, which recognize excellence in the areas of system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. And, in April of this year, the District was honored to receive the South Lake Chamber’s 2019 Heritage Award for over 25 years of community involvement.

As the community-owned public natural gas utility for Winter Garden, Apopka, and Clermont, the District belongs to the people it serves. As such, the District is proud to support local programs and give back to its treasured communities. Last year, the District participated in nearly 50 community events, including local Chamber events and member city festivals, the Boys and Girls Club fundraiser and others that serve a variety of causes, especially those contributing to the well-being of underprivileged youth.

“The District belongs to the people it serves, as does this achievement. Our 60th anniversary would not be possible without the support and dedication of the District’s phenomenal team and loyal customers,” said Apopka City Commissioner Kyle Becker, who was appointed to the District Board of Directors in 2018. “I’m proud to be a part of this legacy that is built upon dedication, community and service.”

In the trusted and committed hands of its more than 50 employees, the District continues to deliver on its mission “to provide competitive natural gas energy services to all consumers within our market area, with a commitment to customer courtesy and care, with a high regard for the value of our customers, employees and the communities that we serve.”

“Achieving 60 years of excellence is no small feat, and we are grateful to so many for allowing us to be a ‘good neighbor’ and trusting us to deliver excellent, efficient service,” said Davis Jr., District General Manager and CEO. “So, to our ‘founding fathers,’ to the many dedicated District employees who have supported us over the years, our devoted board members that serve as trusted leaders, and our faithful, growing customer base – thank you for helping us build such a beautiful community.”

About Lake Apopka Natural Gas District

Lake Apopka Natural Gas District provides clean, efficient and economical natural gas service to more than 23,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Orange and Lake counties. The District has been honored with the SOAR Silver Award by the American Public Gas Association for excellence in operations. For more information on natural gas service for your home, business or vehicle, please visit www.langd.org.