Six Salt River Project Employees Honored for Volunteerism
Six Salt River Project employees have been chosen to receive the SRP Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Award in honor of their exemplary dedication to their communities.
The award recognizes employees who are enriching the lives of others and serve as examples of the power of individuals helping those in need of assistance.
“These amazing individuals represent the culture of SRP where volunteerism is viewed as critical to the success of a community,” said SRP President David Rousseau.
Last year, SRP employees and retirees with help from their friends and families donated more than 45,000 volunteer hours to 241 Valley and state nonprofit organizations.
The 2019 SRP Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Award honorees and the nonprofits they assist are:
Chandler resident Freddie Dobbins Jr. – Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, Gregory’s Fresh Market, African American Cultural Committee EIG and more
For Freddie Dobbins Jr., giving back to the community is simply a way of life. In this spirit, he has dedicated the past 27 years to supporting the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley (BGCEV). He is passionate about helping enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens for whom success is within reach. When he’s not busy giving back to BGCEV, he’s volunteering at Gregory’s Fresh Market to help provide produce to the elderly and veterans, as well as participating in the SRP Employee Interest Group African American Cultural Committee. Because of his wide range of volunteer efforts, he is also the recipient of the 2019 Karl F. Abel Volunteer Recognition Award.
Gilbert resident Jeff Kressaty – Angel Acres
Angel Acres provides disabled and disadvantaged children with an uplifting experience through life-changing horse therapy. Over the past six years, Jeff Kressaty has spent hundreds of hours caring for the horses and helping children experience the healing joy of riding. He also assists with maintaining the property and recently finished several new picnic tables so families have a comfortable place to gather while the children enjoy the activities. This year, Kressaty agreed to serve as assistant executive director for Angel Acres, an exciting challenge that comes with even more responsibility. Marty Sonnenberg, president of Angel Acres, says Kressaty’s leadership has helped create positive outcomes for children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other issues.
Lakeside, Ariz. resident Steve Vital – Blue Ridge Little League
Baseball isn’t just an enjoyable pastime to Steve Vital. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to help kids develop the qualities of discipline, teamwork and physical well-being so they can become outstanding citizens. That’s why he began volunteering with Little League programs 15 years ago as soon as his children were old enough to play. Today his kids are grown, but he still remains an active volunteer with the Blue Ridge Little League in Lakeside, a role he has had since 2013. As the head coach and manager of Little League teams, Vital’s philosophy is to teach kids the skills of baseball to help prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow in our communities. He says the most rewarding part of his volunteer work is watching kids grow in confidence throughout the season.
Mesa/Apache Junction resident Christy Eubanks – Make-A-Wish
Helping make the wishes of critically ill children come true is something that’s very personal for Christy Eubanks. Her grandson, who is in remission from a rare liver cancer, was the recipient of a Make-A-Wish® in 2014. Watching a community unite to grant his wish changed his life — and the life of her entire family — and inspired Eubanks to begin volunteering with the organization. In just over a year’s time, she has volunteered more than 100 hours at MakeA-Wish, helping grant four wishes to “wish kids.” She has been so moved by the joy the organization’s loving mission provides that she is recruiting others to volunteer for the organization so they can help even more sick children.
Phoenix resident Barb Swenson – Tovrea Carraro Society
Barb Swenson has always been intrigued by the wedding cake-shaped castle off the Loop 202 and East Van Buren known as Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights. Since 2014, she and her husband have had the opportunity to share this unique property’s rich history with others. As a docent, Swenson has dedicated her knack for public speaking and passion for local history to teaching hundreds of guests about the storied past of the families who built Tovrea Castle. She also assists with special events and fundraisers to support the operation of the historic property. Swenson feels honored to be a certified docent and to be able to bring the fascinating history of the castle to life for the curious visitors who come for a closer look.
Tempe resident Andrew Johnson – The Centers for Habilitation
When Andrew Johnson toured The Centers for Habilitation (TCH) facility five years ago, he was immediately struck by the work the organization does to provide hope and purpose for individuals with disabilities. Although he has a relative who needs similar care, he never understood the scope of the services and the difference they make to those in need. Since 2016, he has volunteered nearly 300 hours of his time to help TCH’s clients gain confidence, improve their abilities and overcome barriers to quality living. Through his service on the board of directors, he has helped with critical fund-raising efforts, garnered support from legislators, recruited new board members and served ice cream floats and cotton candy to hard-working staff members.
