Channahon Resident Honored for Outstanding Volunteer Service

Exelon Corporation has recognized employee Kelly Sanchez of Channahon, Ill., with a merit award for her volunteer service with the Will County Humane Society. The volunteer recognition is part of the company’s annual Energy for the Community Volunteer Awards and comes with a $5,000 cash grant to the organization in honor of Sanchez. 

Sanchez, who is employed as a lead IT analyst with Exelon, began volunteering as a dog walker at the Shorewood, Ill., organization last year. Her efforts allowed the dogs under her care to get the exercise and individual attention they needed. The Humane Society values volunteer dog walkers because, socializing dogs with different people helps the animals develop confidence and ease.

After only a few months as a volunteer, the Humane Society noticed Sanchez’s high level of dedication to the dogs and asked her to work directly with potential adopters. She now plays a critical role in helping potential adopters find the pet that is a perfect match.

“Kelly is a strong addition to the shelter and serves a pivotal role on the weekends by engaging potential pet owners and working with pets awaiting adoption,” said David M. Horkey, vice president of the Will County Humane Society. “She works with the animals to improve socialization skills and basic obedience skills that can help the pets get adopted faster.”

Additionally, the volunteer work by Sanchez increased her confidence.

“Volunteering with the Will County Humane Society has built my self-confidence in ways I could not have imagined,” Sanchez said. “I feel more connected to the community, and I’ve built relationships with other dog-loving volunteers. The time and effort volunteers spend with the animals at the shelter keeps the Will County Humane Society empowered to save the lives of homeless animals.”

The $5,000 cash grant from Exelon will be used by the Humane Society to cover medical expenses, training, food and shelter.  The Humane Society cares for more than 40 homeless dogs and nearly 100 cats every day.

Christopher M. Crane, Exelon president and CEO, presented Sanchez her award in Chicago on Monday, April 29.

“On behalf of all Exelon employees companywide, I am honored to share in the celebration of Kelly’s accomplishments as one of our volunteer award winners,” Crane said. “Her dedicated commitment to the Will County Humane Society exemplifies how our employees make meaningful impacts on the communities they serve, not only through their jobs, but also through their volunteer service.”

Exelon introduced the Energy for the Community Volunteer Awards in 2007 to honor employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service and to encourage increased volunteerism. Sanchez is one of 18 employees to receive volunteer awards and grants to the nonprofit organizations they serve.  Exelon donated a total of $140,000 in cash grants to those nonprofits this year.

Exelon’s Energy for the Community Volunteer Awards were open to all eligible employees from the Exelon family of companies who volunteered at least 50 hours of community service in 2012. Last year, more than 3,800 Exelon employee volunteers gave nearly 105,000 hours of their time to community nonprofit organizations. The donated hours are equivalent to 2,625 workweeks or nearly 50 years of full-time service.

The awards highlight Exelon’s Energy for the Community corporate citizenship program, which encourages volunteerism to support environmental stewardship; education, arts and culture; neighborhood enhancement; and diversity in the community.