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A commitment to integrity, a dedication to customers, and a determination to improve the quality of life for others. Those are the hallmarks of the employees of Central Hudson—and of the entire CH Energy Group organization. The men and women of our Company take pride in serving the communities where we live and work. Through our commitment to nonprofit groups like the United Way, and employee volunteer efforts, the company and its employees take an active role in making the world a better place for the people we serve.
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This feature is dedicated to the stories of Central Hudson employees who volunteer in the communities we serve. |
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"With such an active pack, my role has never been limited to one activity. I’ve found myself creating calendars, finding locations to hold events, setting up the Pinewood Derby track, working Curriculum Night and promoting and recruiting for our pack." ... Read more
Jocelyn Swart
Central Hudson Accounting Technician; Cubmaster Cub Scout Pack 70 |
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"At Central Hudson, I help customers make informed decisions about the energy they purchase, but through coaching basketball, I help girls stay active, have fun, make friends, and demonstrate success on and off the court." ... Read more
Darlene Clay
Central Hudson Customer Choice Coordinator and Hudson Valley Knights President |
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"It’s important to be aware of the needs of those in our communities, and I’m grateful for the generosity of my co-workers and my company. ..." Read more
Adrienne Huy
Central Hudson Associate Staff Coordinator; Ulster County United Way Board Member |
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"One in four children in our area goes to bed hungry each night. As a mother, I know that one-in-four is one-in-four too many ..." Read more
Nicole Tancredi
Central Hudson Director of Information Systems Development; Company food drive coordinator |
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"The personal satisfaction gained from lending a hand and assisting someone in need is both indescribable and rewarding." ... Read more
Jim Bowers
Central Hudson Assistant Accounting Software Specialist; Community volunteer |
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"Through no fault of their own, children find themselves at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. Although no one can change their past, we as a community can help ensure that they are supported and encouraged to build a better future." ... Read more
Amy Dittmar
Central Hudson Associate Cost & Rate Analyst; Children's Home of Poughkeepsie volunteer |
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 Five community organizations and employees of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. were honored on June 8, 2012 at the utility’s 23rd annual Community Service Award event. “It’s no secret that this is one of
my favorite events, because it captures
the essence of what Central
Hudson is known for – citizenship,” said Steven V. Lant, Chairman, President and CEO of CH Energy Group, Inc., Central Hudson’s parent company.
» Learn about this year's recipients |
Central Hudson, employees, shareholders donate $712,000 in 2012 |
Central Hudson donates $10,000 to Newburgh group at Power Breakfast |
Central Hudson helps promote healthy lifestyles with BetterU Challenge |
Central Hudson honored for philanthropy by fundraising professionals |
Employees volunteer to rebuild home for Beacon resident |
Central Hudson promotion rewards 'Good Neighbors' for their giving |
Central Hudson receives Workplace Inclusiveness Award |
Central Hudson employees volunteer in Newburgh Community Cleanup |
Dutchess Outreach, Food Bank of the Hudson Valley honor Central Hudson |
Community Activities Archives
» How Central Hudson is taking action to protect the environment
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In 1988, Central Hudson established its Community Service Award Program to recognize those employees of the Company who not only carry out the spirit of Central Hudson into their communities but who help improve the quality of life throughout the Hudson Valley. Since 1988, 115 employees have received the Award. Below are profiles of the 2011 Community Service Award recipients, honored on June 8, 2012. |
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Steve Burger - Transformation Life Center
Steve Burger, Manager of New Business Development & New York State Governmental Affairs, was recognized for
his work with Transformation Life
Center’s Build a Bed Campaign. The
Transformation Life Center teaches
life-changing skills to men with substance
abuse issues through a structured
six-month residency program.
During his involvement with the organization,
Burger took the lead of the
Build a Bed Campaign, which included
raising the funds to purchase the steel,
overseeing the construction of the 40
bunk bed-and-desk structures, which
were built by the residents, and raising
the funds for the 40 box springs, mattresses
and linens. A total of $20,000
was raised under Burger’s leadership,
which resulted in a safe and secure environment
for 40 residents. |
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Darlene Clay - Hudson Valley Knights
Customer Choice Coordinator Darlene Clay wasn’t just honored for
being the president of the Hudson
Valley Knights Basketball Club, she
was also recognized for coaching two
seventh-grade teams. As president,
she handles the administration of the
organization, which includes 130 girls
who participate in Cold Spring, Beacon,
Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, Highland
and Walden, oversees 10 coaches
and organizes about 60 teams in the
Joust Tournament. As if that’s not
enough, as a coach, Clay is responsible
for teaching young ladies the basic
fundamentals of being successful on
and off of the court. |
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Tim Hayes - Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Tim Hayes, Manager of Transmission & Distribution Operations and Emergency Response, has been a member of the Board
of Directors of the Mid-Hudson
Civic Center since 2007 and doubles as
the Chair of its Building Committee.
The Civic Center’s Mair Hall is
a 15,475-square-foot space that can
host 3,050 spectators, and with that
capacity come significant and unique
maintenance issues that must be prioritized
and addressed. Hayes has
worked with the Board and staff to
ensure that the limited funding is applied
to the most critical issues. He
has also overseen projects with building
contractors to ensure the Civic
Center is receiving the promised value
for the repairs that are made. Hayes
has applied his knowledge and expertise
of energy and lighting to his volunteer
work. |
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Teresa Leske - Silver Starlites Baton Twirling Team
Customer Account Services Supervisor Teresa Leske became involved with the
Silver Starlites Baton Twirling Team
six years ago. For the past three
years, she has served as the organization’s
president. Since taking the
helm, Leske has turned the team
into a nonprofit organization and enrollment has
increased 100 percent.
She and her board members have developed
team bylaws, established rules
and guidelines, and developed a structured team
handbook that allows the coaches to
do their jobs while concentrating on
the children. Under Leske’s watch the
Silver Starlites have organized and
began hosting a New York State Baton Twirling
Championship each year. In three
years, the attending teams have increased in number from 26 to more than
92, and the organization has grossed
over $10,000. This fundraising allows
the team to compete at the National
Baton Twirling Association’s National
and World Championship at Notre
Dame University, and to fund scholarships
for team members to further
their education. |
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Robert Miller - Kiskatom Fire Department
Gas Mechanic Robert Miller began his volunteerism with
the Kiskatom Fire Department in the
town of Catskill in July 1986, and during
the past 26 years he has served in
many capacities, giving about 24 hours
of his time each month. Currently
serving as chief of the department,
Miller is not only responsible for organizing
and coordinating all of the
fire calls, he also spends time training
recruits, mentoring, coordinating fire
drills, attending commission meetings
and organizing Monday night fire
training. He determines which equipment
and personnel will respond to
calls, and the parking location of the
vehicles, and he arranges for traffic control and backup or additional
equipment when needed. |
| Click here for the full list of past award winners |
For further information on Central Hudson community services, contact Denise VanBuren at 845-486-5563,
or via e-mail dvanburen@cenhud.com.
Here follow some earlier examples of our service-minded people at work in your community:
The non-profit group Walkway Over the Hudson received a donation of $2,500 from Central Hudson on behalf of the 2,500 customers who participated in the utility’s eBills electronic billing promotion in 2010. For every customer who switched to Central Hudson's electronic billing and payment plan, Central Hudson pledged to contribute one dollar to Walkway. A check was presented by Central Hudson’s President James P. Laurito to Walkway Immediate Past Chair Fred Schaeffer during a ceremony on the Walkway.
“During my seven years as Chairman of Walkway Over the Hudson, Central Hudson has been a good neighbor and unwavering supporter of our project to create a public Walkway,” said Schaeffer. “This donation is just one more outstanding example of that support and their commitment to the betterment of our community.” |
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When Central Hudson's Good Neighbor Fund celebrated its 25th Anniversary in November, 2010, The Salvation Army honored the utility and its customers and shareholders for their generosity in funding a voluntary program that has extended a lifeline to families who find themselves in true financial difficulty. More than 13,500 Hudson Valley households have benefited from $1.8 million in assistance since the inception of the program, which is funded by Central Hudson customers and shareholders — and administered by the local corps of the Salvation Army in Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie and Beacon, to ensure that all donations serve local people in the community. |
| In the fourth week of April 2009, in recognition of Arbor Day and Earth Day, Central Hudson partnered with the region’s Chambers of Commerce to plant trees at seven local community agencies. Central Hudson purchased the trees to be planted at local not-for-profit agencies selected by the various Chambers from among their membership, and underwrote the cost of their planting by Chamber-member landscaping or nursery firms. Planting trees with the region’s business communities helps beautify and support local not-for-profit agencies, and also supports these two national days of environmental protection. |
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Karen Kosack, a Central Hudson Customer Service Representative with two autistic children of her own, has been raising money for other Hudson Valley families who have been affected by the mysterious spectrum disorder for years. She is the president of Autism Society Hudson Valley and the founder of the Hudson Valley Autism Walk. She has chaired the event, which has raised nearly $1 million to increase awareness and connect local families with needed services, since 2002. |
| In 2009 and 2010, Central Hudson Executive Assistant Denise Hector has helped organize the utility’s team for the American Heart Association’s Dutchess-Ulster Heart Walk, but she has been a participant in the annual fundraiser for much longer. Why? Because like so many, Hector has a history of heart-related illness in her family. She says participating in the walk is her way of honoring her father, who had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Hector is one of many Central Hudson employees who have helped raised tens of thousands of dollars for research, over more than a decade of participation. |
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Each year Central Hudson employees and retirees donate more and more money to the United Way organizations of Dutchess, Ulster and Orange Counties, and former employee campaign chair and Section Engineer Tim Hayes says that’s because it’s the right thing to do. “Each employee and retiree donation – regardless of size – makes a meaningful impact on our communities,” said Hayes, who co-chaired the 2007 campaign, which raised more than the $336,000 goal, and chaired the 2008 campaign, which far exceeded the $342,000 goal. In 2009 the Central Hudson Employee United Way Campaign exceeded its $357,000 goal, raising more than $366,000 in needed funding for the local agencies. |
| Central Hudson’s Senior Human Resources Administrator Maggi Whalen says it is human nature to want to help others; that’s why she volunteered to be the House Captain for the Central Hudson team during Rebuilding Together Day 2010. For the annual event, teams throughout Dutchess County volunteer to repair homes for income-eligible residents. “In one day you have the opportunity to change someone’s life by making them warm, safe and dry – just by volunteering a few hours of your time,” she said. Whalen and other Central Hudson employees have been active members of the Rebuilding Together – Dutchess County chapter (formerly Christmas in April) since its inception in 1991. |
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| "Customers remember when someone lends them a helping hand,” says Agnes Lugo-Ortiz, a Customer Account Services Supervisor. Agnes has served as a United Way Loaned Executive, not only to help others, but also because she recognizes that, “Building partnerships with the communities we serve is the best way to strengthen ties with our customers.” Central Hudson employees have long been leaders in extending helping hands to less-fortunate neighbors through participation in annual United Way campaigns, and unselfish sharing of their time, talent and treasure on behalf of virtually every United Way member-agency. |
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On the job, Electric Lineman Rick Dorrer regularly completes infrastructure construction projects and often restores electric service in the wake of emergencies. But many nights—and most weekends, too—he’s frequently found responding to emergencies of another sort: answering alarms as a member of the Rhinebeck Volunteer Fire Department. A member of the all-volunteer force for 16 years, the Rhinebeck native currently serves as its chief. Volunteerism, Dorrer says, is just one way that he gives back to his community, adding that, “it gives me a feeling of pride to help my neighbors.” |
| The Dutchess-Ulster County Division of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk has had a staunch supporter every step of the way, for more than a decade, in Central Hudson Cafeteria Attendant Wennie Favaro. She laces up her walking shoes as a member of the Central Hudson team of walkers each year because she finds it fulfilling to help others, and because she believes that, “…people like to do business with companies they know and whose employees give back to the community.” |
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Though she uses cutting edge technology as an Engineer in Central Hudson's Gas and Mechanical Division Gail Duncan says it’s still “the people and the team work” that she likes best about her day-to-day job responsibilities. Gail has made it a personal priority to volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ulster County for many years. Why? “Central Hudson employees have the values, culture and resources to be leaders in the community,” she says. |
| Senior Systems Analyst Jeffrey Johnson (second from right in this photo) says he enjoys “the continuous challenge to find new ways to enhance Central Hudson’s communications systems to meet the needs of our customers.” Little wonder, as he’s well familiar with helping meet the needs of others. Jeff was 16 when his father first welcomed Joe and Carl into the family’s home as part of a NY state program that places mentally and/or physically challenged adults with families. When Jeff’s father retired in 1994, it seemed only natural that the men should move in with Jeff and his own family, pictured here. “Although I’m paid, the income is minimal compared to the fact that they’re a part of my extended family,” Johnson said. |
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Wanting to “help people in the community and be a role model for my children,” first prompted Jeff May to get involved with Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April, a program that involves reconstruction of homes for income-eligible working families in the old-fashioned tradition of a barn-raising. “Helping others build a sense of pride and self worth” has kept him coming back since 1997. Section Engineer of Electric System Protection, May says he “enjoys finding ways to best motivate and utilize the skills of the talented folks” in his department, which is responsible for developing plans to improve our electric distribution system. |
| Director of Information Systems Development, Nicole Tancredi says she most enjoys the problem-solving aspect of her job duties. But there are other parts of being a Central Hudson employee that she enjoys, too. As a new employee in 1997, Nicole joined coworkers in collecting food and cash donations for Dutchess Outreach, a Poughkeepsie-based agency that feeds the homeless. She has since stepped up to take lead responsibility for the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. “Thanksgiving is a time of being thankful for what you have. It feels good to be able to give back to people who are struggling a little,” Nicole explained. |
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