2023 | The Power Of One

Powell's 2023 Power of One Community Service Award Winners

The Powell?Power of One?Community Service Award?celebrates the difference one person can make.?At Powell, we firmly believe that one person has the power to inspire and change the lives of others.?We encourage employees to set an example for others that may affect the outcome of any situation. Recipients are selected annually by the Executive team and are recognize for unpaid acts of volunteer service that display dedication to the community and improve the lives of others.?

Powell is proud to have eight nominees who went above and beyond serving their communities. From hosting special needs baseball in Pearland, Texas to sourcing emergency response equipment for a local community in Bradford, UK, Powell employees have demonstrated the true spirit of volunteerism.

In 2023 and with many amazing nominees across the globe, our Executive team choose three outstanding employees who have dedicated their time and energy to their communities. Each of these award winners have received a $500 cash award and a $5,000 donation to their charitable organization.

Kristie Schoppe - Corporate Shared Services - Z Krewe

Kristie is the Committee Chair for Z Krewe's 0.5K Committee,?raising money for the Galveston County Food Bank’s Kidz Pacz Program. The Galveston County Food Bank?’s Summer Kidz Pacz Program provides snacks and meals to children during the summer months when free lunches at school are not available. Children receive one pack per week (seven meals).

As Committee Chair, Kristie organizes the race logistics, secures sponsors, promotes the race, and organizes the race-day events. Her committee?raised over $6K for the program in 2022, providing 4,133 Kidz Pacz to children in need in Galveston County.

Jason Goodwin - North Canton Division - StarkFresh

Jason works with StarkFresh, a non-profit organization in Stark County, Ohio working to help create pathways out of poverty & grow sustainable food in the greater Canton, Ohio area. Jason’s work includes teaching people how to grow organic vegetation in an urban environment, helping to open a grocery store in a Canton neighborhood that has not had a grocery store for more than 50 years, and showing people there is a way out of poverty by giving them tools to start their own businesses and by showing them how to build a sustainable farm. Jason also wrote, recorded, and produced a theme song to help with marketing and awareness of StarkFresh online!

Chris McGowan - North Canton Division - Refuge of Hope

Refuge of Hope is a direct outreach to the homeless population in Canton, Ohio.?The organization serves hot meals nine times per week, provides shelter and transition services to homeless men, supplies free clothing, and provides essential healthcare services for the uninsured.?

Chris leads a men's group who volunteer to serve hot meals on the second Monday of each month. He also recruited additional people to assist with preparing and serving meals, and generally provide 4-8 volunteers for the night's meal service.

Hear from Kristie Woods, Refuge of Hope Director of Community Relations, "It's a testament to the culture of your company seeing how you give back through the passions of your employees! Wow! Thank you for choosing us through them. I can hardly wait to celebrate!"

In addition to the Annual Community Service Award, the Power of One Program also has Anytime Awards, Quarterly Awards, and a CEO Award for outstanding service in any of the award categories: Innovation, Leadership, Safety, and Customer Service.

Powell is committed to supporting its employees and the communities where they work and live. We thank all our many amazing nominees for their work and dedication in 2023 and hope to encourage even more service in 2024!