Author: sHq_LoGiNz

For the past decade, Entergy New Orleans has hosted its annual Operation Secret Santa event for our customers visiting the Canal Street Customer Care Center for billing assistance.

During the event, customers arriving for what they believe to be a standard appointment are met with a delightful surprise. Santa Claus, accompanied by Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO, and Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy vice president of corporate social responsibility, happily announced that their electric bills had been paid in full. This initiative is made possible through Entergy’s The Power to Care program, designed to provide emergency bill payment assistance to older adults and customers with disabilities during their time of need.

“This event is about meeting our customers where they are and offering a little extra support during the holidays,” said Rodriguez. “Through The Power to Care program, we’re able to provide meaningful relief and support to customers when they need it the most.”

The Secret Santa response from customers was heartwarming, with many expressing gratitude and relief during an already challenging time of year. Now an annual tradition, the event remains one of the most rewarding moments of the year and reflects Entergy’s commitment to supporting our customers and strengthening the communities we serve.

Through The Power to Care program, Entergy collaborates with local nonprofits, dedicated employees, and generous customers to offer emergency bill payment support year-round. Since its inception in 2008, the program has raised over $50 million, assisting more than 250,000 customers in need.

As the holiday season approaches, we invite everyone to join us in extending a helping hand to our neighbors in need. Your support can play a vital role in ensuring that those struggling can keep their lights on during this chilly winter season.

Discover how you can contribute to keeping the power on for someone in need this holiday season.

View original content here.

For the past decade, Entergy New Orleans has hosted its annual Operation Secret Santa event for our customers visiting the Canal Street Customer Care Center for billing assistance.

During the event, customers arriving for what they believe to be a standard appointment are met with a delightful surprise. Santa Claus, accompanied by Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO, and Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy vice president of corporate social responsibility, happily announced that their electric bills had been paid in full. This initiative is made possible through Entergy’s The Power to Care program, designed to provide emergency bill payment assistance to older adults and customers with disabilities during their time of need.

“This event is about meeting our customers where they are and offering a little extra support during the holidays,” said Rodriguez. “Through The Power to Care program, we’re able to provide meaningful relief and support to customers when they need it the most.”

The Secret Santa response from customers was heartwarming, with many expressing gratitude and relief during an already challenging time of year. Now an annual tradition, the event remains one of the most rewarding moments of the year and reflects Entergy’s commitment to supporting our customers and strengthening the communities we serve.

Through The Power to Care program, Entergy collaborates with local nonprofits, dedicated employees, and generous customers to offer emergency bill payment support year-round. Since its inception in 2008, the program has raised over $50 million, assisting more than 250,000 customers in need.

As the holiday season approaches, we invite everyone to join us in extending a helping hand to our neighbors in need. Your support can play a vital role in ensuring that those struggling can keep their lights on during this chilly winter season.

Discover how you can contribute to keeping the power on for someone in need this holiday season.

View original content here.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

Hi, I’m Dwayne Codrington, I go by Codgi, which is a shortened version of my last name. I am originally from Barbados and am a Senior Engineering Manager on GoDaddy’s Identity Platform team. We are responsible for the company’s Authentication (AuthN) and Authorization (AuthZ) Platforms. Our Platforms serve both internal and external GoDaddy partners and customers. I have been with GoDaddy for a little over six years, and becoming a Software Engineer has always been my goal!

During my college days at Florida Tech, I was fortunate to intern across various parts of the industry and also gained hands-on experience by working part-time at a software startup called Security Innovation. I was hired full-time right out of college at Microsoft where I spent 10 years leading teams in Office, SharePoint and later what would become Office M65. From there, I spent 5 years at SkyKick: a Cloud migration, Backup and Management startup who was a key GoDaddy partner. There, I led various teams in the Cloud Backup, Cloud Manager, and Infrastructure teams from inception through to millions of dollars of revenue. I feel very privileged to have been able to go straight into the industry right out of college.

How do you approach leading and motivating your team?

The two are intertwined as Jensen Huang (CEO of Nvidia) once said “the role of the manager is not to broker power between workers but to collectively motivate the company’s workforce. Our position at the company should have something to do with our ability to reason through complicated things, lead other people to achieve greatness, inspire, empower other people, support other people.”

Good leadership begins with recognizing that a successful team thrives when each member’s motivations are understood and thoughtfully aligned with the team’s objectives. Imagine a team as a boat with many rowers – the greatest chance of success comes when everyone is paddling in unison toward a shared destination. To achieve this, leaders must clearly define and communicate the team’s direction. True leadership also means being willing to take on additional tasks, demonstrating commitment and unity. By doing so, you send a powerful message: We are in this together, and together, we will achieve our goals! My leadership centers on those key principles along with adaptability, authenticity, openness and transparency.

What advice would you give to aspiring Software Engineers hoping to move into leadership roles?

I’ve discussed this question with many of my own team members or other peers’ Individual Contributors (ICs) over the years. I’d distill it down to 3 major things:

1. Understand why you want to be a leader
2. Be good at your craft
3. Develop your leadership skills

Understand why you want to be a leader: When I first entered the field, advancing your career beyond Senior level meant you had to become a manager. As a result, many people remained ICs with senior titles because they either didn’t want to manage or weren’t suited for management roles. Today, things are different: you can now pursue Principal IC or Architect career paths, allowing for professional growth without moving into management. There’s also a common misconception that Engineering Managers hold all the power and make every decision. In reality, managers report to their own leadership and don’t operate independently. If you choose the management track, it should be because you understand what it takes to lead a team of Engineers and are committed to helping them succeed.

Be good at your craft: As our internal leadership portal says: “before you can lead others, you must be able to lead yourself.” As a Software Engineering leader, you spend a fair amount of time assessing the skillsets of your Engineers to understand how best to make your team successful. I believe you lead by example and if you aren’t good at your craft, how is any assessment going to be taken credibly? How can you lead the direction of an area if you aren’t able to get in and lead from the ground as needed? Are you good at time management and leading projects? Becoming an expert at your craft provides a solid foundation of credibility that you can rely on when it truly matters.

Develop your leadership skills: Modern Engineering leadership encompasses a broad scope of responsibilities and demands a wide set of leadership skills. Key competencies include relationship building, effective project management (such as planning, tracking progress, and holding team members accountable), clear communication, adaptability, and a solid understanding of human psychology. Additionally, awareness of team, group, organizational, and company dynamics and politics is essential. Developing and strengthening these skills will significantly enhance your success as you transition into a leadership role. Gaining experience by leading multiple technical projects before committing to a full-time leadership position is an great way to cultivate these abilities.

How do you support the internship program, and can you share any success stories from working with interns?

For many years, I ran our division’s summer intern outreach program which ensured our interns got a chance to interact with each other as well as the senior leadership within the division. Over that period of time, I also ran GoDaddy Black in Tech’s (GDBIT) Engineering’s summer intern outreach program which connects our interns with each other and full time employee (FTE) Engineers across the company. Internship programs are a great way to attract, assess, and retain top talent.

Our group has had great success with interns: we have had over a 67% conversion to FTE since I joined. The program has brought in spectacular new team members in Engineering, and many more GDBIT members. Many of these individuals completed several summer internships with the company, giving me the opportunity to witness their development year after year.

By far one of the best moments is seeing these former interns take on more senior roles in the company and giving back to the internship program as speakers and mentors.

You’re also a part of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)! What impact do you think these groups have on company culture?

I am a member of the GDBIT Core leadership team and also co-founded GDBIT Engineering, a subgroup within GDBIT dedicated to supporting individuals who are currently in, or aspiring to enter, Engineering roles. One of our company’s key values is Building Value whereby we aim to focus on being advocates to improve our customer experience. Our customers come from many different backgrounds, so our company strives to create an environment that encourages participation from all voices in order to best understand, connect with, engage, and create products that truly meet the needs of everyone we serve.

Our ERGs play a vital role in fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued, which is essential for our success in this space. It’s inspiring to see that inclusivity is not just a stated value, but a principle that truly guides our company’s actions. The strong support our ERGs receive, from leadership all the way to the executive team, demonstrates our commitment to create an environment where everyone feels supported and respected and highlights the positive influence ERGs have on our workplace culture. Our internship program is a great example, consistently creating opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to thrive and feel a sense of belonging. Shout out to our Recruiting team for their ongoing efforts to identify and support talented candidates, helping to build a more accessible and collaborative organization.

If you had to describe GoDaddy’s culture in one word, what would it be and why?

Collaboration. I tell everyone that one of our core company values is Joining Forces and it’s more than just a phrase on a wall; our teams really live it here. As someone leading Platform teams, I have the opportunity to work with people from a wide range of disciplines, and the culture is: how can we work together to achieve our goals? In contrast, at other companies I’ve worked for outside of GoDaddy, even scheduling a meeting for a cross-functional initiative could be a challenge!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring my passion for cars, watching and playing sports, traveling to new places, and cooking delicious meals.

Two months ago, my wife and I welcomed our second child into the family. Our newborn already has a lively and energetic older brother who is two years old. I have family ties in the state, including one of my cousins and his family, as well as two of my ten godchildren, so I make it a point to spend time with them whenever possible. A lifelong car enthusiast, I have competed and served as a technical advisor at the amateur level in everything from radio-controlled cars and go-karts to full-size race cars, earning race wins and championships along the way. I still enjoy working on my cars, especially my former track car and prized possession: a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, which I have also personally tuned in the past.

Segueing into sports, I am a lifelong fan of Arsenal (English Premier League), the LA Lakers (NBA), McLaren (Formula 1) and the West Indies Cricket team. I also am a big fan of Real Madrid (LaLiga), Juventus (Serie A), the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), the Seattle Storm (WNBA), Porsche, MotoGP and the World Rally Championship even though neither of my lifelong teams (Kawasaki and Mitsubishi respectively) compete anymore. My wife has picked up watching several of these sports and teams over time and I hope to pass on some of this love to my kids as well. Basketball and football (soccer) have always been major parts of my life and while I don’t play either competitively at the amateur level anymore, I still enjoy shooting around or working on various drills as time permits.

Traveling is one of my greatest passions because it allows me to immerse myself in different cultures, cuisines, and histories. With my mum having been a history teacher, visiting historic sites holds special meaning for me. I am aiming to visit 30+ countries, and with only 7 visited so far, I have a long way to go! I’ve had the goal for a while to visit all 50 US states and have visited 32 to date with 3 more scheduled for next year.

Cooking is another passion of mine. I enjoy recreating favorite restaurant dishes at home and love adding a West Indian twist whenever possible. I continually refine these recipes, often experimenting at potlucks or when hosting family and friends. My wife, however, sometimes has to endure the less successful culinary experiments, but it’s all part of the fun and learning process.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• TikTok
• Career Page

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

Hi, I’m Dwayne Codrington, I go by Codgi, which is a shortened version of my last name. I am originally from Barbados and am a Senior Engineering Manager on GoDaddy’s Identity Platform team. We are responsible for the company’s Authentication (AuthN) and Authorization (AuthZ) Platforms. Our Platforms serve both internal and external GoDaddy partners and customers. I have been with GoDaddy for a little over six years, and becoming a Software Engineer has always been my goal!

During my college days at Florida Tech, I was fortunate to intern across various parts of the industry and also gained hands-on experience by working part-time at a software startup called Security Innovation. I was hired full-time right out of college at Microsoft where I spent 10 years leading teams in Office, SharePoint and later what would become Office M65. From there, I spent 5 years at SkyKick: a Cloud migration, Backup and Management startup who was a key GoDaddy partner. There, I led various teams in the Cloud Backup, Cloud Manager, and Infrastructure teams from inception through to millions of dollars of revenue. I feel very privileged to have been able to go straight into the industry right out of college.

How do you approach leading and motivating your team?

The two are intertwined as Jensen Huang (CEO of Nvidia) once said “the role of the manager is not to broker power between workers but to collectively motivate the company’s workforce. Our position at the company should have something to do with our ability to reason through complicated things, lead other people to achieve greatness, inspire, empower other people, support other people.”

Good leadership begins with recognizing that a successful team thrives when each member’s motivations are understood and thoughtfully aligned with the team’s objectives. Imagine a team as a boat with many rowers – the greatest chance of success comes when everyone is paddling in unison toward a shared destination. To achieve this, leaders must clearly define and communicate the team’s direction. True leadership also means being willing to take on additional tasks, demonstrating commitment and unity. By doing so, you send a powerful message: We are in this together, and together, we will achieve our goals! My leadership centers on those key principles along with adaptability, authenticity, openness and transparency.

What advice would you give to aspiring Software Engineers hoping to move into leadership roles?

I’ve discussed this question with many of my own team members or other peers’ Individual Contributors (ICs) over the years. I’d distill it down to 3 major things:

1. Understand why you want to be a leader
2. Be good at your craft
3. Develop your leadership skills

Understand why you want to be a leader: When I first entered the field, advancing your career beyond Senior level meant you had to become a manager. As a result, many people remained ICs with senior titles because they either didn’t want to manage or weren’t suited for management roles. Today, things are different: you can now pursue Principal IC or Architect career paths, allowing for professional growth without moving into management. There’s also a common misconception that Engineering Managers hold all the power and make every decision. In reality, managers report to their own leadership and don’t operate independently. If you choose the management track, it should be because you understand what it takes to lead a team of Engineers and are committed to helping them succeed.

Be good at your craft: As our internal leadership portal says: “before you can lead others, you must be able to lead yourself.” As a Software Engineering leader, you spend a fair amount of time assessing the skillsets of your Engineers to understand how best to make your team successful. I believe you lead by example and if you aren’t good at your craft, how is any assessment going to be taken credibly? How can you lead the direction of an area if you aren’t able to get in and lead from the ground as needed? Are you good at time management and leading projects? Becoming an expert at your craft provides a solid foundation of credibility that you can rely on when it truly matters.

Develop your leadership skills: Modern Engineering leadership encompasses a broad scope of responsibilities and demands a wide set of leadership skills. Key competencies include relationship building, effective project management (such as planning, tracking progress, and holding team members accountable), clear communication, adaptability, and a solid understanding of human psychology. Additionally, awareness of team, group, organizational, and company dynamics and politics is essential. Developing and strengthening these skills will significantly enhance your success as you transition into a leadership role. Gaining experience by leading multiple technical projects before committing to a full-time leadership position is an great way to cultivate these abilities.

How do you support the internship program, and can you share any success stories from working with interns?

For many years, I ran our division’s summer intern outreach program which ensured our interns got a chance to interact with each other as well as the senior leadership within the division. Over that period of time, I also ran GoDaddy Black in Tech’s (GDBIT) Engineering’s summer intern outreach program which connects our interns with each other and full time employee (FTE) Engineers across the company. Internship programs are a great way to attract, assess, and retain top talent.

Our group has had great success with interns: we have had over a 67% conversion to FTE since I joined. The program has brought in spectacular new team members in Engineering, and many more GDBIT members. Many of these individuals completed several summer internships with the company, giving me the opportunity to witness their development year after year.

By far one of the best moments is seeing these former interns take on more senior roles in the company and giving back to the internship program as speakers and mentors.

You’re also a part of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)! What impact do you think these groups have on company culture?

I am a member of the GDBIT Core leadership team and also co-founded GDBIT Engineering, a subgroup within GDBIT dedicated to supporting individuals who are currently in, or aspiring to enter, Engineering roles. One of our company’s key values is Building Value whereby we aim to focus on being advocates to improve our customer experience. Our customers come from many different backgrounds, so our company strives to create an environment that encourages participation from all voices in order to best understand, connect with, engage, and create products that truly meet the needs of everyone we serve.

Our ERGs play a vital role in fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued, which is essential for our success in this space. It’s inspiring to see that inclusivity is not just a stated value, but a principle that truly guides our company’s actions. The strong support our ERGs receive, from leadership all the way to the executive team, demonstrates our commitment to create an environment where everyone feels supported and respected and highlights the positive influence ERGs have on our workplace culture. Our internship program is a great example, consistently creating opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to thrive and feel a sense of belonging. Shout out to our Recruiting team for their ongoing efforts to identify and support talented candidates, helping to build a more accessible and collaborative organization.

If you had to describe GoDaddy’s culture in one word, what would it be and why?

Collaboration. I tell everyone that one of our core company values is Joining Forces and it’s more than just a phrase on a wall; our teams really live it here. As someone leading Platform teams, I have the opportunity to work with people from a wide range of disciplines, and the culture is: how can we work together to achieve our goals? In contrast, at other companies I’ve worked for outside of GoDaddy, even scheduling a meeting for a cross-functional initiative could be a challenge!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring my passion for cars, watching and playing sports, traveling to new places, and cooking delicious meals.

Two months ago, my wife and I welcomed our second child into the family. Our newborn already has a lively and energetic older brother who is two years old. I have family ties in the state, including one of my cousins and his family, as well as two of my ten godchildren, so I make it a point to spend time with them whenever possible. A lifelong car enthusiast, I have competed and served as a technical advisor at the amateur level in everything from radio-controlled cars and go-karts to full-size race cars, earning race wins and championships along the way. I still enjoy working on my cars, especially my former track car and prized possession: a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, which I have also personally tuned in the past.

Segueing into sports, I am a lifelong fan of Arsenal (English Premier League), the LA Lakers (NBA), McLaren (Formula 1) and the West Indies Cricket team. I also am a big fan of Real Madrid (LaLiga), Juventus (Serie A), the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), the Seattle Storm (WNBA), Porsche, MotoGP and the World Rally Championship even though neither of my lifelong teams (Kawasaki and Mitsubishi respectively) compete anymore. My wife has picked up watching several of these sports and teams over time and I hope to pass on some of this love to my kids as well. Basketball and football (soccer) have always been major parts of my life and while I don’t play either competitively at the amateur level anymore, I still enjoy shooting around or working on various drills as time permits.

Traveling is one of my greatest passions because it allows me to immerse myself in different cultures, cuisines, and histories. With my mum having been a history teacher, visiting historic sites holds special meaning for me. I am aiming to visit 30+ countries, and with only 7 visited so far, I have a long way to go! I’ve had the goal for a while to visit all 50 US states and have visited 32 to date with 3 more scheduled for next year.

Cooking is another passion of mine. I enjoy recreating favorite restaurant dishes at home and love adding a West Indian twist whenever possible. I continually refine these recipes, often experimenting at potlucks or when hosting family and friends. My wife, however, sometimes has to endure the less successful culinary experiments, but it’s all part of the fun and learning process.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• TikTok
• Career Page

Originally published by The National Park Foundation

The holiday season is about connecting with friends and family, and expressing gratitude for the things that are most important to us. At the National Park Foundation (NPF), we’re grateful to partner with Subaru of America – our largest corporate donor – and participate in the annual Subaru Share the Love® Event. Over the past 13 years, the event has donated more than $20 million to the National Park Foundation! From November 20th, 2025 to January 2nd, 2026, for every new Subaru purchased or leased,* Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities – including the National Park Foundation. Donations from the Subaru Share the Love Event® provide critical funding to programs and projects that help protect America’s more than 400 national parks. Visit the Subaru Share the Love Event® website event page to learn more about the event and find a Subaru retailer near you.

When you select NPF as your charity of choice during the Subaru Share the Love Event, your support is helping us continue this work, protecting and preserving over 400 national parks for generations to come. Learn more about our partnership.

Event Details

*Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 20th, 2025, through January 2nd, 2026, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities.

Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 9th, 2026. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit Subaru’s website. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Originally published by The National Park Foundation

The holiday season is about connecting with friends and family, and expressing gratitude for the things that are most important to us. At the National Park Foundation (NPF), we’re grateful to partner with Subaru of America – our largest corporate donor – and participate in the annual Subaru Share the Love® Event. Over the past 13 years, the event has donated more than $20 million to the National Park Foundation! From November 20th, 2025 to January 2nd, 2026, for every new Subaru purchased or leased,* Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities – including the National Park Foundation. Donations from the Subaru Share the Love Event® provide critical funding to programs and projects that help protect America’s more than 400 national parks. Visit the Subaru Share the Love Event® website event page to learn more about the event and find a Subaru retailer near you.

When you select NPF as your charity of choice during the Subaru Share the Love Event, your support is helping us continue this work, protecting and preserving over 400 national parks for generations to come. Learn more about our partnership.

Event Details

*Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 20th, 2025, through January 2nd, 2026, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities.

Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 9th, 2026. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit Subaru’s website. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

From November 13–19, DaVita teammates (employees) brought the kidney care provider’s value of being a “community first and company second” to life all across California. In a weeklong service event, nearly 800 volunteers — including teammates, their families and loved ones — participated in Caring Across Communities, an initiative designed by DaVita to connect teammates with 29 nonprofit projects across the state. By dedicating over 2,000 volunteer hours, participants made a significant and positive impact in the neighborhoods where they live and work — an estimated $70,000 economic impact through donated time.

The goals of the initiative were twofold: to strengthen local communities by supporting essential nonprofit organizations and to foster a deeper sense of connection among teammates, both with each other and their neighborhoods. This effort underscores DaVita’s identity as a Village and its commitment to caring for the whole community.

“We refer to DaVita as a Village — which means being an active part of our communities,” said Liz Gardner, executive director for the DaVita Giving Foundation. “Our commitment to the care we provide extends beyond our centers, beyond our patients, to care for the people and world around us.”

Throughout the week, volunteers could be found at organizations focused on addressing critical local needs. Teammates sorted donations and packed meals at food banks and other local food programs aimed, cleaned up public spaces and engaged in other community projects across the state.

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our work. We distribute about 5 million pounds [of food] every month to 1 in 4 Alameda County residents, and that would not be possible without the people who so thoughtfully sort and prepare bags and boxes of groceries in our warehouse,” said Venus Eltaki, volunteer and community engagement coordinator for Alameda County Food Bank. “When companies like DaVita step in, it sends a message that we are all in this together.”

This impact is especially felt as the holiday season starts.

Katie Hill, CEO for Union Station Homeless Services shared: “Last year, we served over 6,000 Thanksgiving meals thanks to the support of our community and local organizations. Our goal is to ensure nobody in the San Gabriel Valley goes hungry this Thanksgiving. We appreciate DaVita stepping up during this time of need and not only for Union Station Homeless Services but for the community as a whole. “

A Personal Experience

For many teammates, the Caring Across Communities initiative was a personal and powerful experience. The week provided a platform for them to support causes they are passionate about and to see their colleagues in a new light. And for many teammates, the opportunity to give back to the community was personal.

Mary Gaither, an administrative assistant, volunteered with Project Angel Food, a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers medically tailored meals to people living with critical illnesses, including kidney disease. As Gaither worked alongside other volunteers to prepare more than 2,600 meals, she reflected on the impact Project Angel Food has had in her life.

“My parents used Project Angel Food 10 years ago when they each had an illness,” Gaither shared. “Project Angel Food brought meals and helped me take care of my parents. I’ve been working with them ever sense.”

Similarly, Tony Lane, a biomedical technician, called his experience volunteering at the Boys & Girls Clut of Greater Sacramento a full-circle moment as he was able to visit an organization that had been important to him in his childhood:

“This place is where I met my first real baseball coach that put me on a trajectory to go and play baseball and learn about myself,” Lane said. “This place gave me purpose, so it’s really nice to see how much they still do. Without them, I don’t know that I would have done what I’ve been able to do in my life.”  

Building a Healthier Tomorrow

The Caring Across Communities initiative is a tangible expression of DaVita’s broader vision for a healthier world.

“Healthy communities play a vital role in helping individuals lead healthier lives,” Gardner said. “By investing time and resources into strengthening neighborhoods, DaVita is helping to create environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

This philosophy of holistic care that extends beyond DaVita’s dialysis care centers is central to DaVita’s purpose-driven culture to support whole-person well-being. Similarly, caring for communities involves more than providing healthcare services; it requires active participation in the well-being of the neighborhoods we call home.

Caring Across Communities is just one chapter in DaVita’s ongoing story of volunteerism and community engagement. In 2021, DaVita set a goal of reaching 125,000 volunteer hours by the end of 2025 — a goal the organization exceeded in 2024. As of November 20, DaVita has exceeded 66,000 hours of community service logged in 2025, including more than 2,000 hours completed during Caring Across Communities.

As the week concluded, the sense of accomplishment and shared purpose was palpable, leaving a lasting mark on participants. Gardner shared:

“The legacy we leave through initiatives like Caring Across Communities isn’t the hours we counted, but the connections we forged. The impact we made this week is just the starting line. Holistic care demands action beyond our walls, and DaVita teammates continue to demonstrate through their dedication to our communities.”