Bloom Energy Supports Delaware Veterans, Military Families

To mark Veterans Day, Bloom Energy employees and their family and friends joined nearly 200 Delaware-area runners for the inaugural Bloom Energy Stars and Strides 5K run and walk in Newark, Delaware, Saturday, November 12. The event raised funds for the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans and the Delaware National Guard Youth Foundation, key organizations in a state with over 77,000 veterans, 3,500 active military members and 2,700 National Guard families.

“It was great to spend a beautiful fall Saturday with so many employees and families enjoying fun and healthy activities while raising money and respecting our veterans,” said Barry Sharpe, Vice President and General Manager for Manufacturing at Bloom Energy.

Veterans who work at Bloom were among the racers. Aaron Trimble, Manager, Manufacturing Maintenance, and Charles Walton, Director, Manufacturing Engineering and Testing, were also honored after the race at the University of Delaware’s Military Appreciation Day football game.

“Not only is it an honor to be part of company that is helping to reshape the world of energy, but it is a bigger honor that Bloom supports employees, community and a personal part of my life, veterans,” said Trimble. “Knowing that the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) and the National Guard Youth Foundation (DNGYF) were the spotlight of the event, brought joy and honor to me to be part of their cause.”

“The day was amazing,” added Walton. “I am very proud that Bloom was able to sponsor an event that both recognized those that have served, and are currently serving, our country as well as supported the local community. I am excited for the impact that Stars and Strides will make in the future.”

Bloom Energy has reached out to veteran’s groups to hire for all positions in its Delaware and California operations, particularly in Field Service. At the start of 2022, Bloom employed 90 protected veterans in the U.S., representing 6 percent of its more than 1,400 U.S. employees then. Bloom works with agencies to identify potential candidates just about to be released from the military, and has hired 10 employees that way. Bloom has also incorporated strategies to hire veterans as potential university interns; 12 percent of its interns this year have been veterans.

The Delaware Stars and Strides, which followed two years of Stars and Strides races at Bloom headquarters in San Jose, Calif., was sponsored by University of Delaware Athletics, Fusion Racing, Crosby Connect International, MDavis, The Newark Partnership, The Newark Morning Rotary, Sherman Engineering, Kendal Corporation, and Little Goat Coffee Roasting Company.

Bloom rounded out its veteran support activities by proudly sponsoring The Newark Moring Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes event, where 500 American flags are displayed at Newark Reservoir. The event was held on Sunday, November 13, and among those flags displayed, 56 were dedicated to Bloom employees who served in or are active-duty military.