Eversource Employees Help Power Community Service Efforts

From Eversource: When Debbie Clark isn’t busy determining what electrical materials will be needed for a storm or a planned project at Eversource, she’s mentoring children at the Boys and Girls Club in Meriden. The 28-year employee at Eversource, and lifelong Meriden resident, began volunteering at the youth organization more than two years ago.

She spends a few hours of her own time every week with a group of kids there, having indoor picnics, snacking on fruit and playing games to empower and inspire them. “I started out just mentoring one 10-year-old girl, and eventually her older brother and two younger cousins joined in. Now there are days when even more kids participate in our Friday group.

When I get there, they run up to me asking if we’re going to play the ‘girl power’ game,” said Clark. “They really look forward to our time together. Every week they come back and tell me what they accomplished, and they’re so proud. It shows me how much they’re listening to what I say. I didn’t expect to get the love and appreciation I get from these kids. I encourage mentoring in any way possible. It truly makes a difference.”

In addition to the 100 hours a year Clark contributes at the Boys and Girls Club, she spends countless more hours with the foursome on weekends. She takes them to the beach and the movies; they go hiking and bike riding, but their favorite activity – making macaroni and cheese at Clark’s house and eating on china dishes. During National Volunteer Month, Eversource is recognizing employees like Clark who inspire, encourage and help their communities while demonstrating that, by working together, there can be a positive impact.

“Employees like Debbie exemplify the value of going above and beyond,” said Rod Powell, President of Eversource Corporate Citizenship.

“We’re proud of all our employees and applaud those who give of themselves and help others in the communities where they live and work.” In 2016, more than 3,500 Eversource employees volunteered more than 15,000 hours at dozens of charitable organizations across Connecticut and New England. Employees donated their time and resources to the Ana Grace Project, Foodshare, Mercy Shelter and Junior Achievement, among others. From preparing meals at a homeless shelter to collecting gifts for children in need during the holidays, to wrapping marathon runners in a heat shield as they finish the race, Eversource volunteers did it all.

Learn about other Eversource employee volunteers being highlighted this week on the company’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

To find out more about Eversource’s commitment to the community, visit here.

Photo courtesy of Eversource