KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Friday Lake County Rising received a generous $2,500 donation from Edward Wallace, a Calpine employee.

Wallace recently received Calpine’s prestigious ASPIRE award for his passion and dedication at work.

This national award was awarded to three recipients across Calpine’s fleet of 84 power plants.

Wallace, a resident of American Canyon, is an Operator Technician III at Calpine’s Wolfskill Energy Center in Fairfield.

An avid cyclist, Wallace enjoys participating in the Konocti Challenge each year and visiting friends in Lake County. 

As part of the award, Wallace was given $2,500 to donate to a charity of his choosing.

When hearing about the fire from fellow ASPIRE award winner, Calpine Geysers employee Matthew Smith of Cobb, Wallace instantly decided on Lake County Rising as the organization for his donation. 

“I am extremely moved by the spirit and optimism shown by folks in Lake County,” said Wallace. “I am hopeful that this donation will help the impressive recovery efforts already under way.”

Smith also was an awardee for his calm leadership during the Valley fire. He was on duty the night the fire swept through The Geysers area and made critical decisions, minute-by-minute during the ordeal even as he faced the fact that his own home had been destroyed by the fire.

“I am so touched by the generosity of this donation. The fires in 2015 and most recent Clayton fire have left behind huge disruption in the lives of so many people. Funds raised by Lake County Rising have helped with the rebuilding process where other funding sources were not available,” said Terry Dereniuk, executive director for Lake County Winery Association who received the funds for Lake County Rising.

Calpine was an early supporter of Lake County Rising through a $15,000 initial donation and subsequently hosted a successful fundraising golf tournament resulting in an additional $15,000.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.lakecountywinegrape.org/region/lake-county-rising .