2007 Karl F. Abel Award winners
The future of our state is brighter thanks to the commitment of these SRP employees, who are all Karl F. Abel award winners. They demonstrate that lending a hand is indeed the ultimate expression of caring for others.
This award brings special attention to the difference SRP volunteers make in our communities.
Karl Abel was SRP's president from 1972-82, and encouraged volunteerism among SRP employees. Abel "led by example" by dedicating his own time to many civic and community organizations.
For 25 years now, SRP has saluted employees who continue Karl Abel's tradition – a tradition that provides value to the community.
2007 Karl F. Abel award recipients
Kim Carpenter, Senior Operations Coordinator, Electric System Operations
Wellness Community of Central Arizona
For the past two years, Kim Carpenter, 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 of Central Arizona., which provides free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones.
In honor of her beloved aunt, Kim founded the Joanne Wood Memorial fundraising hike which raised more than $14,000 in its first year for the Wellness Community. Kim solicits sponsors, coordinates logistics, recruits hikers and volunteers and works with the media to get the word out about the hike and breast cancer. It is estimated that more than 200 breast cancer survivors were aided last year by programs supported by Kim's efforts.
Al Dickie, Manager, Property Management and Services
Arizona Dragon Boat Association
Dragon Boat racing is the ultimate team sport, requiring an exceptional level of group coordination. But for every boat team, someone needs to steer. The Arizona Dragon Boat Association selects a charity each year to benefit from the group's annual Dragon Boat Festival on Tempe Town Lake. Al Dickie became involved and he wrote the group's incorporation papers, obtained IRS 501(c)3 status, drafted volunteers and served as the group's vice president. Beyond that, Al is a skilled "steersperson" for two local Dragon Boat teams, proving his leadership abilities are as effective on the water as they are in the office.
Muggs Hanson, Senior Customer Service Representative, Commercial Customer Services
Southwest Classical Dance Institute
Southwest Classical Dance Institute is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to the training of future dance artists, regardless of their socio-economic status. For the past four years, Muggs Hanson has served on its board of directors. She coordinates all aspects of the group's performances - everything from booking venues, coordinating volunteers, developing marketing materials, raising funds (more than $3,000 last year), to making the costumes, and donating the labor and materials herself. Muggs also works to build the group's scholarship fund, helping provide needed assistance for students wishing to further their training.
Don Hughes, O&M Manager, Santan Generating Station
Interfaith Cooperative Ministries
ICM provides items for the disadvantaged that most of us take for granted: food, clothing, baby formula and other essentials. Don Hughes brings his organizational skills to the ICM and for the past 10 years has served on the group's board. When a remodel was needed of the ICM client space to facilitate better service, Don served as project manager and construction supervisor and he was able to obtain $5,000 of HVAC equipment and approximately $6,000 of donated skilled labor, including more than 2,000 hours of volunteer time.
Kerrie Lynn Morris, Services Coordinator, Mail Services
Kamotke Boys and Girls Club
Recent budget cuts took a toll on the Kamotke Boys and Girls Club. In fact, it appeared that the Club wouldn't be able to serve local youth during the holiday season last year. Kerrie sought to help and as chair of SRP's Employee Interest Group Native Horizons, she brought the resources of the EIG to the aid of the Club which sponsors numerous events throughout the year, including the Kamotke Christmas Party. With Native Horizons members assisting, the party came together quickly. Kerrie coordinated fundraising, gift donations, wrapping, food and party logistics for 150 children. And, the Club was able to maintain services throughout the holiday season.
Rob Peterson, O&M Supervisor, Environmental & Lab Services, Navajo Generating Station
Glen Canyon Natural History Association
The millions of Americans who visit our nation's public lands often are unaware that not-for-profit partner organizations provide essential services that make these visits more rewarding. The Glen Canyon Natural History Association is one such organization, and for the past seven years, Rob Peterson has been an ardent supporter of the Association's mission to provide education, research, interpretation and visitor services within the public lands of the Colorado Plateau.
As a past president, currently serving as board secretary, Rob has been instrumental in all aspects of the Association's operations, with a special emphasis on helping organize new visitor contact points. As president, Rob facilitated the acquisition of all four Bureau of Land Management visitor centers in the Association's jurisdiction, providing a tremendous resource to the National Park Service and the many Americans who visit our public lands.
Les Presmyk, Senior Mining Engineer, Fuels
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
The Mercy Gilbert Medical Center opened in 2006, and could not have done so without the support of groups like the Catholic Healthcare West Foundation, which has been helping the East Valley hospitals of Catholic Healthcare for 20 years. Les Presmyk brings years of political, organizational and fundraising experience to the group. The Foundation's initial goal is to raise $10 million to help build and equip a second wing of the hospital, including a pediatrics floor. Les is chairman of the group's gala fundraiser, the Diamond Ball, coming on April 19, 2008. By chairing the gala committee, Les is providing valuable leadership, and hopes the event will raise $200,000 toward the Foundation's larger $10 million goal. Les views this as just another opportunity to serve the people of Gilbert, where he also serves as a city councilman.
Moh Saleh, O&M Manager, Desert Basin Generating Station
Boys and Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley
Moh Saleh volunteers more than 100 hours a year with the Boys and Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley, serving on the board and assisting with club programs, finances, fundraising and expansion efforts. He also manages projects in support of the club's mission, enlisting the aid of coworkers at Desert Basin and Santan generating stations. Two recent projects involved the renovation of the club's facilities and the donation and setup of computer equipment. Moh coordinated the 30 SRP employee and family volunteers on the renovation project, which spanned several weekends worth of work, giving them an opportunity to impact the more than 3,000 children served by the club each year.
Marty Sonnenberg, Senior Credit Counselor, Project Help
Angel Acres, Inc.
Providing disadvantaged and disabled children an opportunity to forget their worries and concerns, if only for awhile, is the mission of Angel Acres, Inc., and its founder, director and president, Marty Sonnenberg. The nonprofit program, which Marty began after her own experience with the emotional healing a horse can provide, allows disadvantaged and disabled children six weeks of grooming, riding, exercise, self-esteem building and bonding with horses Marty cares for and trains - her "angels." In the last four years, 156 children have received horse therapy, which equates to more than 900 rides! In the lives of these children, it's Marty who is the "angel." Marty is a two-time Karl F. Abel Award winner, receiving the award in 2004, as well, for her work with Angel Acres.
Kathy Stevens, Community Relations Representative 3, Special Projects
Tempe Center for the Arts
Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts (FTCA) was formed to help develop the Tempe Center for the Arts into a regionally known venue for exciting and diverse cultural experiences. Kathy Stevens has devoted volunteer hours to the group since its inception, working to bring a dedicated sales tax to the ballot in 2000 that financed the Tempe Center for the Arts. Beyond working to finance the project, FTCA worked closely with the City in selection of architects, helped determine the best location for the Center, and continues to support the Center in an ongoing advisory and fundraising capacity. Kathy serves as treasurer for the group and her efforts have contributed to FTCA raising more than $100,000 in membership fees to support the Center. With "friends" like Kathy, the arts are alive and well in Tempe. This is Kathy's second Karl F. Abel Award, having won in 1997 for her work with the Arizona Arthritis Foundation.
Donna Ward, Secretary 4, Electric System O&M
Andre House
Eleven years ago, a call came into SRP VOLUNTEERS for help in feeding the homeless at the Andre House soup kitchen, a downtown Phoenix institution, where the disadvantaged find shelter and a hot meal. Donna Ward answered the call, and has been volunteering her time and efforts with Andre House ever since, averaging about 120 hours each year. Donna coordinates SRP volunteers, working closely with Andre House staff to make sure critical needs are being met. What started as six or seven volunteers a month quickly grew to more than 10 each week, as Donna spread the word. This is the second time Donna has been a recipient of the Karl F. Abel Award, having won in 2001 for her work with Andre House.