2024 Power of One Community Service Award Winners

April was International Volunteer Month and we celebrated our employees who are passionate about making their communities better places to work and live! In 2024, our Executive Team chose four winners of Powell’s 2024 Community Service Awards: Phaedra Alcantar, Katrina Brown, Ann Cartner and Annette Brooks! Each of our winners received a $500 cash award and a $5,000 donation to their charitable organization.

Phaedra Alcantar – PSD Applications Engineering – Houston – M.I. Lewis Social Service Center

In 2023, the Food Pantry at the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center experienced a food shortage.? Phaedra immediately responded, taking personal ownership of the crisis, by enrolling?direct support from the volunteer community, requesting food donations to mitigate the supply gap.? The results of this endeavor generated?2,500 pounds of food for?the Center.? Additionally, Phaedra organized and delivered food boxes, serving?179 families, totaling 848 individuals.

Katrina Brown – EDH Human Resources – Houston – Gulf Coast Blue Chips Sports

For more than 10 years, Katrina has tirelessly worked to build champions both on and off the basketball court with the creation of a character development program through a local area non-profit basketball club (Gulf Coast Blue Chips) serving the Gulf Coast region. The goal is to create a strong work ethic in our youth regardless of socio-economic class,?strengthen their ties to the community, and create a sense of citizenship through volunteerism and sport, with a foundation of academic excellence. Through the initiatives spearheaded by Katrina, the Gulf Coast Blue Chips organization continues to thrive, and has more than 200 member participants in multiple age groups, from elementary to high school. Community impact includes the development of STEM Day at Powell, in partnership with Clear Creek ISD schools, partnerships with Redline Athletics - Webster, Restore Hyper Wellness, and ongoing community service involvement with the Houston Rockets.?

Ann Cartner – NCD Manufacturing Engineering – North Canton – Portage Park District Foundation

Ann became a certified volunteer naturalist to share?enthusiasm of the natural world and to teach?methods each of us can employ to make a difference in our home?ecosystems. She has conducted nature education and research on animal populations in Portage County, Ohio. She has taught several hundred people over 30 hours in the butterfly exhibit and over 300 people in classes on bats and tree identification. Additionally, Ann completed the Ohio State Certified Volunteer Naturalist program with 80 hours of combined?classroom and volunteer?work.

Annette Brooks – Corporate Human Resources – Houston – Houston Food Bank

Annette directly supports the needs of those in immediate crisis – most notably, by facilitating emergency accommodation for families. In one instance, she was able to financially support and seek accommodation for a young mother and her three infant children. Cumulatively, Annette has secured charitable donations, allowing distribution of aid across her community, including the Houston Food Bank that is now running into the $100,000s.?

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 2024 and hope to encourage even more service in 2025!