By Brandon Todd
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! The 2025 theme “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365” reminds us to let service guide us in all we do. At Washington Gas, our 176-year legacy of serving our communities is rooted in a deep respect for these principles.
Dr. King championed the belief that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'” His message resonates through time as we honor his legacy through acts of service, reflection, and community support.
This holiday is unique in its standing as the only federal holiday designated as a day of service.* Far from fading with time, this call to serve others only resonates more strongly with each new year.
Our commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable energy solutions interweaves with our support of DMV families. Commemorating MLK Day in 2025 reminds us that serving our communities by giving secure energy is vital in fostering equity and opportunity. Helping our customers do what is best for their families, budgets, and life goals can help strengthen our region, one household at a time.
For 177 years, Washington Gas has been part of the very foundation of our District. Our founding charter in 1848 was approved within the same week that the Washington Monument cornerstone was placed. Life has changed dramatically since then, but the core needs within our communities remain the same.
Every home should be warm in the winter. Every person should enjoy food security. Every child should have educational opportunities. Every generation should inherit a vibrant planet and environment.
We celebrate this day each year by encouraging our co-workers and colleagues to take this as an opportunity for community service. We support these goals by offering holiday time and opportunities to match employee volunteer hours and donations. Our team members have the flexibility to assist those initiatives that speak most personally to them.
One of our proudest recent achievements was giving back in 2024. Washington Gas employees generously contributed to the many causes that spoke to them personally and received company matching. The combined impact was over 2,300 volunteer hours and more than $100,000 donated to help local communities.
We are also passionate about supporting robust energy assistance programs that offer aid during challenging times. Our Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) is a cornerstone in this effort and has provided over $34 million in assistance since 1983 and supported more than 320,000 households in times of need. WAFF’s inclusive support helps families manage their needs with dignity and flexibility, regardless of their primary utility source (natural gas, electricity, propane, wood, or others).
Across our region, we help support the principles Dr. King championed so passionately: fairness, service, and the pursuit of equity. We proudly partner with our communities to support moments of need and to work toward providing energy solutions that make life better for everyone.
Dr. King’s message reminds us that everyone thrives when we support resilient communities. Our goals include ensuring every household has secure energy and no communities are left behind. We thank everyone who supports his ideals in the DMV.
Brandon Todd is the VP of Government Affairs, Policy & Advocacy for Washington Gas (WGL). He leads the government affairs and public policy team and is responsible for developing and managing public policy positions. He previously served six years on the Council of the District of Columbia, representing Ward 4. Brandon is active across the metropolitan Washington region, serving on business and philanthropic boards.
