Five Salt River Project (SRP) employees earned the 2020 SRP Presidents' Volunteer Spirit Awards for exemplary dedication to their communities. They were recognized for saving animals, expanding the arts, teaching kids to farm, and more.
"This award embodies the SRP's longstanding commitment to our community. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, the SRP's elected board recognizes and values the organization's unique role in the community and duty to give back," said SRP President David Rousseau. "Thousands of SRP employee volunteers can be seen doing wonderful things all around the valley, giving time to local nonprofits, coordinating donations, and volunteering their skills. Award recipients represent the best of the SRP, and we are grateful for their selfless efforts to help those in need and build a stronger community."
In honor of the five volunteers, the SRP presented checks for US$2500 to their respective nonprofit partners. Last year, SRP employees and retirees volunteered more than 53,000 hours to 280 valley and state nonprofit organizations, and donated approximately US$97,500 through the company's Dollars for Doers program.
This year, the SRP received 37 nominations for the SRP Presidents' Volunteer Spirit Awards. An external panel reviewed the applications and selected the final SRP Presidents' Volunteer Spirit Award recipients.
Nominations come from employees, coworkers, and retirees. Nominees must complete an application, provide information about the nonprofit for which they volunteer, tell how long they have volunteered at that nonprofit, and enter the average number of volunteer hours. They must describe the role and specific contributions made to the organization; how their volunteerism impacted the nonprofit, the community, and the clients served by the organization; how the volunteer became involved with the nonprofit; and how they have personally been affected by the volunteer experience.
The 2020 SRP Presidents' Volunteer Spirit Award honorees and the nonprofits they assist are:
Nancy Brooks, Chandler resident, Helping Hands for Homeless Hounds volunteer, SRP senior specialist of energy diversion
When Nancy Brooks first volunteered for Helping Hands for Homeless Pets in 2014, she was overwhelmed by the sheer number of homeless people and pets. Many of the homeless have pets in need of basic veterinary services. Helping Hands for Homeless Hounds works to meet that need. Brooks is a tireless animal welfare advocate. As a volunteer, she hosted drives to collect blankets, pet and people food, and other essential items. She also used her animal welfare connections to secure free spay/neuter procedures and specialty care for pets that have unusual illnesses or injuries and personally transports animals to appointments when needed. Brooks volunteers hundreds of hours every year and said she's grateful for the opportunity to help so many people and animals.
Kiley Crosby, Gilbert resident, Mesquite Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Boosters Club volunteer, SRP section supervisor of transmission substation maintenance east
Kiley Crosby grew up in a ranching and farming family where he learned to handle and train animals, properly set up pens and service equipment. For the past five years, he has been sharing his valuable experience with students through his work at the Mesquite FFA Alumni Boosters Club in Gilbert. Averaging 120 volunteer hours each year, Crosby helps with the organization's fundraising and recognition events, assists at area animal shows and has served in various positions on the board, including president. Crosby said he's grateful for the opportunity to help students develop respect for animals, nature, each other, and themselves — qualities that will help them succeed as they make their own way in the world.
Brandon Dean, Goodyear resident, Boy Scouts of America, Grand Canyon Council volunteer, SRP cybersecurity analyst
When Brandon Dean earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1985, he took an oath to contribute a lifetime of service to the community to repay the generosity that adult volunteers and leaders showed him along the way. That promise has translated to more than 28 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America in three states. He has guided and mentored dozens of youth through the challenges, growth, education, and leadership required to progress in scouting. With more than 500 hours of service each year, he has sacrificed countless evenings and weekends to lead boy scouts on adventures that teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and other virtues. Dean said he's honored to be able to help shape youth into the leaders of tomorrow.
Molly Greene, Phoenix resident, Ballet Arizona volunteer, SRP senior director of state government relations
A lover of the arts, Molly Greene helps bring ballet to the masses through her board service for Ballet Arizona. She volunteers hundreds of hours each year to help raise funds and cultivate community partnerships. Greene has made significant contributions to Ballet Arizona's efforts to change lives through ballet. She has had a direct impact on programs that bring dance to the community such as Ballet Under the Stars, which brings free performances to 15,000 valley residents in local parks each year and DanceAZ, which provides an opportunity for students at underserved schools to learn life-changing skills through dance. Because of her efforts, more Arizonans than ever, especially young people, are able to experience and be inspired by a broad range of dance programs, which deliver lasting benefits to families and the community as a whole.
Ileen Snoddy, Gilbert resident, National History Day Arizona volunteer, SRP community outreach representative
For more than two decades, Ileen Snoddy, with the SRP's Research Archives and Heritage Department, has been a passionate advocate for National History Day Arizona (NHD-AZ). Snoddy takes pride in seeing students connect with history, develop critical thinking and presentation skills, and cultivate a love of history. She brings history to life as she shows students that history is cool, important, and fun. Last year, Snoddy spent 1000 hours volunteering her time with the statewide academic program, which engages kids in the discovery of historical, cultural, scientific, and social experiences of the past. Over the years, Snoddy has served on the organization's advisory board, assisted with program workshops, and judged NHD-AZ's regional and state competitions. Her enthusiasm for NHD-AZ has inspired others to join the NHD community and support the program by volunteering with the advisory council at workshops and during competitions.
To learn more about the SRP volunteers, visit here.
