Sharp Energy delivers breast cancer awareness information in addition to propane

Sharp Energy Inc., the largest propane retailer on the Delmarva Peninsula and a subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is building awareness and raising funds in the fight against breast cancer.

Partnering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Sharp introduced a new pink bobtail delivery truck into its fleet in June. Adorned with the pink ribbon logo, the truck will travel across Delmarva delivering propane and breast cancer prevention information to customers and the community, and for every gallon of propane pumped by the new truck, Sharp Energy will donate one cent toward this important cause.

“Sharp Energy is part of the Delmarva community, and we want to contribute to the overall health and well-being of our employees and the people we serve,” said Michael P. McMasters, president and chief executive officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. “When caught early enough, breast cancer has a very high survival rate. If our pink delivery truck can help draw attention to breast cancer prevention, we’re one step closer to tackling this terrible disease.”

Sharp Energy’s pink propane truck displays four breast cancer awareness ribbons. Each pink ribbon represents 25 members of Sharp Energy and Chesapeake’s friends and families who have experienced, survived or passed away from breast cancer. With an estimated 207,000 new cases of breast cancer in U.S. women diagnosed in 2010 alone, Delaware is ranked second and Maryland is ranked eighth in the nation for breast cancer-related deaths, according to the latest figures from the National Cancer Institute.

“Given the number of women that we employ and their overall contribution to Chesapeake’s success, we have pledged to do our part as a company to raise awareness and assist in the battle against this deadly illness,” said Beth W. Cooper, senior vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and corporate secretary of the company. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation currently employs 220 female employees.

Based in Salisbury, Md., Sharp Energy distributes propane to approximately 34,200 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. With four rail facilities and over 2 million gallons of propane storage, Sharp Energy has established a very solid supply portfolio. To learn more about Sharp Energy and its many customer programs or to become a new customer, visit www.sharpenergy.com or call 888-SHARP40.

Information about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and the Chesapeake family of businesses is available at www.chpk.com.