Delmarva Power honors top employee volunteers

Delmarva Power honored five  employees at the company’s first annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony held at Dover Downs in Dover.

The inaugural event recognized employees who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their communities through volunteerism in 2017.

“I am proud to see our employees’ dedication to so many diverse organizations make a direct impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. “I’m inspired by the selflessness, energy, kindness and passion they demonstrate and we can all look to them as great examples for how to get involved in our communities.”

Former Delaware First Lady Carla Markell, who promoted volunteerism and mentoring during her time as first lady, gave the keynote speech in which she congratulated the volunteers on their achievements and underscored the importance of volunteers in communities across the region.

Donna Peterson, of Wilmington, a claims coordinator who has worked at Delmarva Power for 26 years, was recognized as the company’s most impactful volunteer in 2017. Peterson dedicates her time to Neighborhood House, a non-profit that provides programs that support low- and moderate-income individuals, families and communities. In 2017, she volunteered 590 hours with Neighborhood House, helping sew baby clothes and warm hats for newborns in need. 

Delmarva Power also recognized the following individuals:

• Douglas Hudson, of Selbyville,  an engineering fieldman 1^st class who has worked at Delmarva Power for 29 years, was recognized for his work with the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company and the Sussex County Firefighters Association. Hudson serves both as an active fire policeman responding to alarms, directing traffic and operating firetrucks, and as part of each organization’s senior leadership overseeing their budgets and business operations.
• Julia Reilly, of Elkton,   a legal analyst who has worked at Delmarva for 20 years, was recognized for her work with Fair Hill Stables where she volunteers as a trail guide and barn manager. Many of the horses at the stables are rescues, and Julia works alongside a team of volunteers who cares for the horses and keeps them fed and healthy.
• Patricia Bone, of Betterton, Md., a storeroom manager who has worked at Delmarva Power for 22 years, was recognized for her work at the C. Henry Price II Unit 246 American Legion Auxiliary. Patricia’s dedication to veterans includes fundraising, education, entertainment and life planning services designed to support those who bravely served our country.
• Karl Reighard, of Bridgeville, Del., a senior engineering tech who has worked at Delmarva Power for six years, was recognized for volunteering his time between the Boy Scouts of America, his local youth group and the Civil Air Patrol. In his volunteering, Karl works alongside other community members to help shape future leaders throughout the region.

In 2017, 254 Delmarva Power employees donated more than 11,200 hours of their personal time to help support local organizations, community events and volunteer initiatives.