Making a Difference in Our Communities
For UGI employees, being a volunteer is more than just giving time or money to organizations in our communities. It’s about truly making a difference in the lives of others and building a better, brighter future for everyone.
Wrapping up our National Volunteer Week celebrations, Lori Hoffman, UGI Community Relations Coordinator, shares why she’s passionate about giving back to the communities she lives and works in.
What has been the most meaningful volunteer project/initiative/event you participated in in 2017?
I’m proud to work for a company that supports employees’ involvement in the community! Two of my favorite events from 2017 are the Olivet Boys and Girls Club Center for the Arts holiday party, hosted by one of UGI’s Reading-based employee engagement committees, and the annual Cups of Compassion in Downtown Reading.
I personally volunteer as a mentor at the Olivet Club have had the chance to get to know the students and interact with them on a weekly basis. I loved seeing how much fun the kids had playing games, singing karaoke carols, and having photos taken at the photo booth, as well as the joy and excitement they had seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus!
The Cups of Compassion event is held annually just before Christmas, and brings the community together in Downtown Reading to help those in need during the holiday season. Hundreds of individuals, businesses, and organizations participate in the event by handing out donations of clothing, food and toiletries as well as providing services and resources to local assistance. Being on the committee that organizes this event each year, It is very humbling to know that an estimated 1,000 individuals in need attend this event to receive even the basic needs. Seeing this community come together in such a big way to offer assistance is so inspiring to me.
There is no greater gift than to give. To me, this is what the holidays are all about.
If you could have dinner with any humanitarian (living or deceased) who would it be and why?
How do you pick just one? There are so many people doing that have done (and are doing) great things to make the world a better place. One person comes to mind immediately, and that is Ellen DeGeneres. She promotes compassion and human rights in a world that could use much more of both. And, I am a fan of her television show which constantly tells the story of individuals and organizations in need as well as recognizes people who are making a difference. Seeing Ellen sharing their stories and then helping them with contributions is both inspiring and encouraging! Besides all of the good work she does, she is equally as funny!
On a local level, Craig Poole of the DoubleTree hotel here in Downtown Reading is doing great things for the Reading area. Craig is a well-respected person in our community who is committed to bringing positive change and is leading this change by example. Living here all of my life, I want to be part of this positive change and would certainly be even more inspired to do so after talking with Craig.
What are you favorite types of volunteer activities?
Volunteering isn’t something I do; volunteering is who I am. I enjoy giving back and being involved in the community however I can, especially activities that involved children and young adults. From participating in UGI’s RIF program to mentoring and tutoring students at local schools and organizations, can all have a lasting impact and positive influence on someone’s life. And that is a feeling like no other.
What are your community goals for 2018?
UGI has a number of committees across the service territory that provides ways for employees to get involved in the community, including volunteer projects and raising funds and collecting items for local organizations. My goal is to get more employees input into the types of projects that we do and organizations that we support, as well as to help employees lead these events.
Follow UGI Utilities on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as we celebrate and share our favorite volunteer moments all week long. To learn more about UGI’s involvement in your community, visit us online at www.ugi.com/community.
National Volunteer Week is more than just a week to honor our employee volunteers. It’s also a time to highlight and acknowledge the various organizations that provide necessary and invaluable services to our communities.
What would you like UGI employees and customers to know most about the work the Community Relations team does?
What is your favorite community program, initiative, or event you’ve been involved with?
UGI continues our National Volunteer Week celebrations with Tammie Lowry, UGI Community Relation Manager, West Region.
What would you like UGI employees and customers to know most about the work the Community Relations team does?
What is your favorite community program, initiative, or event you’ve been involved with?
In honor of National Volunteer Week, UGI’s Social Media Team sat down with Thea Phalon, UGI Community Relations Manager, East Region, to talk about her involvement with employees and the communities UGI serves.
What matters to you in your community, matters to UGI. If you have a volunteer project idea or would like to request a contribution for an organization that’s close to your heart, 
What is your favorite community program, initiative, or event you’ve been involved with?
Warm weather is almost here! It is important to be aware of overhead power lines providing service at various voltages to our homes as we begin to head outdoors to trim our trees and clean out gutters.
In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of having underground utility lines marked in advance of a digging project, April has been established as National Safe Digging Month.
This funding enables the S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation to provide an exciting and hands-on science program to fill in the gaps of current education. With each lesson, S.P.A.R.K.S. educators strive to bring back the wonder of science to students, having them hypothesize as they experiment and learn.
“My favorite part about the S.P.A.R.K.S. program is the joy and enthusiasm the kids experience. One girl, as she was leaving, told me she wanted to be a scientist when she grew up. S.P.A.R.K.S. is making a positive impact in these children’s lives,” said volunteer “Radioactive” Rob Kachmar (shown above.)
