Our volunteer spotlight is a chance to meet a Citizens Energy Group employee who is making a big impact in the community outside of their job. Citizens employees are encouraged to volunteer at Citizens-sponsored events, or at community organizations of their choice.
Meet Chris Kennedy, Manager Process Control and Compliance
Chris Kennedy joined Citizens in August 2017. As Manager of Process Control and Compliance for Wastewater Operations, Chris works in tandem with the Wastewater Operations Manager to validate process performance and ensure regulatory compliance for all of Citizens’ permitted facilities. Chris also oversees operations at Eagle Creek Dam, which Citizens operates on behalf of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.
Chris has volunteered for Fountains of Hope for more than three years, two of which were spent serving as president of the Board of Directors.
Why is it important to you to volunteer?
I believe that everyone should have access to the same basic needs, opportunities for growth, and a chance to thrive. Volunteering is important because it allows me to contribute to this vision and helps spread the compassion necessary to achieve it.
What sparked your interest in volunteering for Fountains of Hope?
Water is a precious gift that we should not take for granted. We turn on the tap, and clean water flows out. Flush the toilet, and dirty water goes away. However, for much of the developing world, access to clean water is a daily struggle. Fountains of Hope presented the opportunity to combine my passion for cleaning water and helping others in a meaningful way.
What has been your most rewarding experience volunteering for Fountains of Hope?
In June 2021, I took a trip to Uganda with Fountains of Hope to install three water disinfection systems. This trip had a profound impact on me and opened my eyes to both the beauty and suffering that exists in the developing world. The friends I made in Uganda are some of the happiest and most thankful people that I have ever met.
What contribution or achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud of the fact that Fountains of Hope set new fundraising records in each of the two years that I served as president. I leveraged the experience gained through my involvement in the strategic planning process at Citizens to help Fountains of Hope develop SMART goals, which paved the path for this success.
Why do you feel volunteerism is important at Citizens Energy Group?
To me, working for Citizens is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of serving our community in every way possible. Our company vision echoes this same sentiment and, as employees, it is up to each of us to personify it.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering alongside your Citizens coworkers?
I enjoy seeing my coworkers outside of their normal work roles and getting to know them personally. This past year, at the Sharing the Dream event, I loved seeing management and frontline workers alongside one another getting splattered with paint for a great cause.
About Fountains of Hope
https://www.fountainsofhope.org/
Fountains of Hope International
10409 Holaday Drive
Carmel, Indiana 46032 USA
Bill Farrar – Founder and Executive Director
bill@fountainsofhope.org
Fountains of Hope provides reliable, sustainable water purification systems in developing regions or areas impacted by natural disasters. A pilot and aircraft mechanic, Bill Farrar got his start deploying water purification systems shortly after Hurricane Katrina. Helping those impacted by the devastating hurricane inspired Bill to create Fountains of Hope in 2009. When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, Fountains of Hope leapt into action and installed numerous water purification systems to provide safe drinking water to displaced Haitians.
One water purification system costs about $6,000. What sounds like a significant investment pales in comparison to the impact it will create; in a 10-year period, each system will produce 1.9 million gallons of safe drinking water for 1,000 people. Fountains of Hope will host volunteer-powered assembly events to prepare systems, and potential volunteers may be interested to know that tax-deductible service trips are possible too.
On having Chris Kennedy volunteer, Bill shared, “Chris has been so enthusiastic. He’s always got a smile on his face. Chris is a hard worker, very methodical, and I would say he approaches things with an engineering mindset. As we’ve gone through research and development of products within our organization, he has been right there, helping out.”
