PORTLAND, Ore. — Geneva Jones, a local TV personality and former Pacific Power employee, was honored by her peers today by becoming the first Geneva Jones Community Spirit Award recipient. She was given the award yesterday at a holiday gathering for local Pacific Power retirees.

Geneva was the high-profile face of Pacific Power for many years as “Polly Pacific” and as a member of the company’s Community Relations Department. Pacific Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, will make a $2,000 contribution to the nonprofit of her choice.

“I represented Pacific Power & Light at events from Pendleton to Astoria,” said Jones. “At each one I said, ‘PP&L is happy to serve you in this capacity, and I, as their representative, have had a blast.’”

At age 84, Geneva continues to have a blast as an active contributor to causes throughout the state of Oregon. Many will recognize Jones from her nearly 30 years of cooking expertise on local shows such as KOIN Kitchen and AM Northwest. But her behind-the-scenes contributions are many. They include being appointed by two governors to the State Board of Agriculture and active involvement with LINKS, a national service organization of concerned and committed African-American women.

Today she serves on the boards of the Sunshine Division, Links, Inc. and Beta Sigma Phi. She has served on the boards of American Cancer Society, Amercian Red Cross, Girl Scouts and Women's Ad Club. She recently served on the boards of Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center and Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Jones is especially known for her work in empowering African-American women and entrepreneurs. She has decades of service with organizations such as the White Shield Center, Portland Police Sunshine Division and the United Negro College Fund.
 
“We honored Geneva because she epitomizes the great contributions our retirees continue to make long after they’ve retired from the company,” said Judi Johansen, president and CEO of PacifiCorp, which serves local customers as Pacific Power.

Pacific Power plans to make the Geneva Jones Community Spirit Award an annual event, along with a PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning donation to the charitable institution of the winner’s choice.

Also attending the event were Jones’ sons Roman and Steve, daughter-in-law Carol, granddaughter Celeste, and lifelong friend and fellow retiree, Elizabeth Langston.

(Left to right - front) Geneva Jones, Celeste Jones, Elizabeth Langston and Carol Jones. (Back) Steve and Roman Jones.