SRP Employees Honored for Volunteer Work

Award Given to Individuals Who Have Helped Thousands in Arizona

Whether it’s devoting countless hours mentoring and coaching a youth soccer team or preparing and serving food to those in need, Salt River Project employee volunteers have donated countless hours and offered invaluable expertise to community causes. Twelve dedicated and selfless SRP employee volunteers were recognized this week for their exemplary commitment by the SRP Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Awards.

Among the winners is John F. Ganem, the lead volunteer cook on Thursday evenings at the Andre House soup kitchen in downtown Phoenix, who helps oversee the preparation of more than 600 meals.

“Each year, SRP employees have given their time and dedication to organizations that positively impact thousands of lives,” said Karen Fisch, manager of SRP Community Outreach, who added that SRP employees and retirees, with help from their friends and families, donate more than 700,000 volunteer hours a year to their communities. “In this tough economy, their volunteerism is needed more than ever and I know they will be there to help where they can.”

SRP’s commitment to Arizona communities has been recognized with prestigious awards for volunteerism.  In 2003, SRP received the American Public Power Association’s Community Service Award; in 2002, SRP was presented with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award; and in 2000 and 2007, SRP was awarded the Points of Light Foundation Award for Excellence in Corporate Workplace Volunteer Programs.

The 2008 honorees are:

Chandler resident Kim Carpenter (The Wellness Community of Central Arizona) is dedicated to providing free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer as well as their loved ones. For the past three years, Kim Carpenter, Senior Operations Coordinator with SRP, has put her love of the outdoors and her life experience as a breast cancer survivor to work in support of the Wellness Community’s mission.  In honor of her beloved aunt, Kim founded the Joanne Wood Memorial fundraising hike to aid the Wellness Community’s operations, and has raised more than $30,000. It is estimated that more than 200 breast cancer survivors were aided last year by programs supported by Kim’s efforts.

Mesa resident Freddie Dobbins, Jr. (Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley) The Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley offers kids an opportunity to develop self esteem, values and life skills while having fun in a safe environment. Since 1991, SRP Manager Engineering and Planning Freddie Dobbins, Jr., has worked to support the club in a variety of ways, first as a corporate board member, and later as vice president of programs, youth of the year chairman, and vice president of human resources.  Freddie has personally raised $2,000 to $8,000 each year for the club’s programs. During Freddie’s time with the Boys and Girls Club, the group has doubled the number of clubs across the East Valley, serving more than 10,000 kids a year.

Mesa resident Bill Smith (American Diabetes Association) The American Diabetes Association (ADA) works to prevent and cure diabetes, while improving the lives of those affected by the disease. SRP Senior Computer Analyst Bill Smith has devoted his volunteer services over the past ten years to supporting the Association’s mission. As a fundraiser, Bill has collected nearly $25,000 as both a bicycle rider and then as a walker in ADA-sponsored events. Bill has also served as a mentor to ADA staff, committee members and Walk Team captains, making them better recruiters and fundraisers. Leading the SRP Pacesetters team in the ADA Step Out Walk, Bill has recruited 883 walkers, raising nearly $69,000 – an amount that can fund diabetes research for nearly nine months. 

Page resident Paul Ostapuk (Old Spanish Trail Association) The Old Spanish Trail was opened in 1829 as a trade route between Santa Fe, N.M., and San Gabriel Mission in California.  One hundred seventy nine years later, Paul Ostapuk, Manager O/M at Navajo Generating Station, works to study, preserve and communicate the history of the trail as Arizona Director of the Old Spanish Trail Association (OSTA). Paul, who is a lover of all things historical, donates 20 hours a month promoting the trail, partnering with community neighbors, improving the group’s operating efficiencies, managing the OSTA Web site, and growing the membership base. Paul also spends his free time volunteering with the Glen Canyon Natural History Association and the Friends of Lake Powell. 

Phoenix resident Al Dickie (Arizona Dragon Boat Association) The Arizona Dragon Boat Association selects a charity each year to benefit from the group’s annual Dragon Boat Festival on Tempe Town Lake. The YMCA Strong Kids Program and the Arizona Special Olympics are two recent examples. Al Dickie, SRP Manager Property Management and Services, became involved with the Arizona Dragon Boat Association at the request of a co-worker six years ago. His organizational skills were an instant boost to the Association – Al wrote the group’s incorporation papers, obtained IRS 501(c)(3) status, drafted volunteers and served as the group’s vice president. He even created a PERA Club Dragon Boat team for SRP employees. Beyond that, Al is a skilled “steersperson” for two local teams, proving his leadership abilities are as effective on the water as they are in the office.

Phoenix resident Joni L. Gehr (Royal Palm Orangewood Little League) The Royal Palm Orangewood Little League is making sure character, courage and loyalty are taught right along with how to hit a homerun. Joni L. Gehr, SRP Customer Billing Specialist, has worked with the group since 2005 and joined the board in 2006.  Averaging 12 hours a month during the off season and 40 hours during the regular season, she serves as Vice President of Sponsorship and Fundraising, and chairs the League Events Committee (not to mention being mother to a star player). She helped raise more than $17,000 for the 2008 season, which enabled much needed field improvements. Perhaps her greatest achievement has been getting parents involved as volunteers drawing more than 70 percent participation. 

Phoenix Helen J. Poole (Childhelp KEYS Community Center) Knowledge, Education, Youth and Society (KEYS) are the foundation of the Childhelp KEYS Community Center in Phoenix’s South Mountain Village community. For the past two years, SRP Supervisor Customer Service Center Helen J. Poole has volunteered her time with the KEYS Center, currently serving as chair of Neighbors That Care (NTC), a neighborhood group that meets monthly at the center.  Helen plans and runs Residential Leadership Team meetings, gives presentations regarding NTC at local events, secures speakers and recruits volunteers to work events such as health fairs, backpack giveaways, turkey giveaways, special classes offered to local youth, and many other volunteer-supported efforts.

Queen Creek resident Marty Sonnenberg (Angel Acres, Inc.) Providing disadvantaged and disabled children an opportunity to forget their worries and concerns, if only for a while, is the mission of Angel Acres, Inc., and its founder, director and president, Marty Sonnenberg.  Marty is a Senior Credit Counselor with SRP and began Angel Acres after her own experience 14 years ago when she discovered the emotional healing a horse can provide. The program allows disadvantaged and disabled children six weeks of grooming, riding, exercise, self-esteem building and bonding with horses. The children also enjoy educational activities, art exercises, goat petting, a photo album and lunch. The results are more than worth the effort – in the last five years, 206 children have received therapy, which equates to more than 1,000 rides!

St. Johns resident Ruben A. Bejarano (St. Johns Youth Soccer Program) A good coach can leave an impression on a child that lasts a lifetime. The young athletes of St. Johns have just such a coach in Ruben A. Bejarano, whose day job is SRP Maintenance Planner/Scheduler for the Coronado Generating Station. When Ruben and his family moved to St. Johns seven years ago, the first thing he did was sign on with the St. Johns Youth Soccer Program. Seven years later, the team has won two state titles and is the strongest it’s ever been. Ruben has also coached baseball and basketball teams both in the community and in the St. Johns school system, delivering an average of 400 volunteer hours per month.

Tempe resident John F. Ganem (Andre House) At the Andre House soup kitchen, a downtown Phoenix institution, the disadvantaged find shelter and a hot meal. John F. Ganem, SRP Sr. Accounting Analyst, is one of a team of volunteers making sure meals are well-prepared, nutritious and on time. As the lead cook on Thursday evenings, John determines the menu based on food donations, and oversees preparation of more than 600 meals. John is currently mentoring his tenth staff coordinator at Andre House, and also serves on the group’s Board of Advisors. For those seeking comfort and fellowship at Andre House, John’s compassion and culinary skills are equally appreciated.

Tempe resident Sheryl L. Girard (Foundation for Burns and Trauma) The Foundation for Burns and Trauma helps burn victims become burn survivors. Since 2004, SRP Senior Computer Analyst Sheryl L. Girard has provided more than 2,000 volunteer hours serving the needs of burn victims and their families. At Camp Courage in Prescott, Sheryl and her dog, Shiloh, bring animal therapy to burn survivors, ages 6 to 15 years. In 2007, she joined the Foundation’s Burns and Trauma Development Committee to assist with fundraising and increase volunteer membership.  Most recently, Sheryl has enlisted SRP VOLUNTEERS to assist with the remodel of Forever Courage House, making this a welcome retreat for burn victims and their families.

Tempe resident Linda S. Johnson (Arizona Retriever Rescue) Each year, many dogs are abandoned, mistreated, neglected or left in shelters. Arizona Retriever Rescue was created to provide veterinary care, evaluation and adoptive homes to Golden and Flat Coated Retrievers. For the past two years, SRP Manager Lab and Field Services Linda S. Johnson, has served on the group’s Trench Team, working directly with dogs, adoptive families and animal shelters. As Veterinary Liaison, she established procedures for obtaining care and contracts with care providers, making costly medical procedures affordable. As Shelter Coordinator, Linda’s team-building skills have helped create a network of volunteers who visit shelters and seek out dogs meeting the criteria for rescue.  

Technorati Tags: Al Dickie, American Diabetes Association, Andre House, Angel Acres, Arizona, Arizona Dragon Boat Association, Arizona Retriever Rescue, Bill Smith, Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley, Childhelp KEYS Community Center, Foundation for Burns and Trauma, Freddie Dobbins Jr. Kim Carpenter, Helen J. Poole, John F. Ganem, Joni L. Gehr, Linda S. Johnson, Marty Sonnenberg, Old Spanish Trail Association, Paul Ostapuk, Royal Palm Orangewood Little League, Ruben A. Bejarano, Salt River Project, Sheryl L. Girard, SRP, St. Johns Youth Soccer Program, The Wellness Community of Central Arizona, volunteerism