The SRP Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Awards recognize employees and retirees who help build stronger communities through their personal commitment to volunteerism. Each year, outstanding recipients are selected based on the volunteer work they do within their community. Let’s look at the 2023 recipients of the Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Award.
Nancy Brooks
Nancy Brooks, from SRP’s Revenue Protection, has been volunteering for Helping Hands for Homeless Hounds since 2013. She’s passionate about those experiencing homelessness, whether they are humans or pets. The organization’s mission is to reduce pet overpopulation, illness and euthanasia rates in Guadalupe. Nancy’s volunteer work includes securing quality veterinary care for pets, transporting pets and supplies to and from clinics, and helping vulnerable pet owners create a living space where they and their pets can thrive. We’re grateful to Nancy for helping secure quality care and homes for pets in need.
Denisse Delos Santos
Denisse Delos Santos, with SRP’s Meter Engineering and Testing Services, volunteers for the Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders (ACEL). Their mission is to advance the Asian American community by providing a network of resources in professional development, cultural awareness, community service and mentoring. Denisse has served as a member of its leadership conference planning committee, vice chair of ACEL’s Celebration Gala and coordinator of numerous networking events. We’re proud of her work to help create a space for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community to come together, feel safe and be proud of who they are.
Kim Higgins
Kim Higgins is a retired SRP employee who volunteers for Arizona Hands & Voices, an organization dedicated to supporting families and children who are deaf or hard of hearing with the goal of helping them reach their highest potential. Kim originally got involved with the organization to keep her American Sign Language (ASL) skills sharp outside of her ASL classes. She averages 100 volunteer hours each year for Arizona Hands & Voices. In this time, she helps with fundraisers, distributing information and supplies and preparing for events. We thank Kim for her amazing work empowering families and children who are deaf or hard of hearing in Arizona.
Erika Castro, Karl F. Abel Award Recipient
The Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Karl F. Abel Award is a tribute to the former SRP president who exemplified servant leadership in his volunteer work with many community organizations. This award continues to honor SRP employees and retirees who demonstrate the same commitment Abel had to selflessly giving back to the community through a variety of organizations.
Erika Castro, a member of our Supplier Diversity department, is actively involved in supporting ¡Hablamos SRP!, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, Chicanos Por La Causa, Arizona Educational Foundation, ALL In Education, Girl Scouts and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West, among other organizations.
In 2021, Erika discovered an opportunity to volunteer with the Chandler Cultural Foundation, an extension of the Chandler Center for the Arts (CCA) that strives to make the performing arts accessible to the entire Chandler community. Since then, she’s served as a member of the board of directors and an ambassador where she fulfills outreach efforts and provides recommendations on how the organization can best serve its community. We’re grateful for Erika’s work and dedication to many organizations.
We thank all the SRP employees who help build stronger communities in Arizona through their spirit of volunteerism.