Energized for Good: The Liberty Division’s Story of Service in New York
As part of our Avangrid in the Community series, we’re shining the spotlight on employees who generously give their time and energy to passions that drive them.
In the small town of Liberty, New York, keeping the lights on means more than restoring power after a storm. For John Schenck, Senior Manager of Regional Operations at NYSEG’s Liberty Division, it also means powering the spirit of his community through volunteerism.
John Schenck doing what he loves: volunteering in the local community.
Over the past four years, John has helped turn a handful of service projects into a full-fledged culture of giving. His team of 80 employees has logged more than 1,300 volunteer hours in a single year, helping local organizations and neighbors across Sullivan County. “Those hours belong to our team,” John says. “We go out and do both large and small community projects. It could be something as simple as hanging banners for a local school, or something larger, like maintaining ten miles of rail trail.”
The projects vary, but the purpose is constant. The Liberty Division has partnered with the local SPCA, built greenhouses for a farm that donates food to food banks, and supported the Livingston Manor Rotary Club by painting ballfields and removing trees. They pitch in wherever help is needed, and the enthusiasm is contagious. “When we first started, I thought people might be skeptical,” John says. “But after that first big project, everyone wanted to be involved.”
For a small division, the turnout is impressive. Forty to fifty volunteers often show up for large-scale efforts, a testament to the solidarity and pride that define the group. “We don’t just work here, we live here,” John explains. “These are our neighbors, our friends, our families. Helping out is part of being part of the community.”
Service That Spreads
When the Liberty Division first began volunteering, John and his team had to reach out to local organizations to find opportunities. Now, it’s the other way around. “We have community groups coming to us with requests,” he says. “That’s been the best part. It means people know they can count on us.”
Many employees also volunteer outside of organized events, inspired by the work they’ve done together. The spirit of service has taken on a life of its own, one that continues to grow every year. Joining John at the helm of many of these efforts in New York is Matt McPhillips, Municipal & Community Relations Manager.
Matt McPhillips, center, shown with fellow employees, helps lead many volunteer efforts in New York.
“From cleaning up and beautifying outdoor trails and parks, to creating livable spaces for rescue animals, we are dedicated to giving back,” said McPhillips. “We believe in supporting causes that are important to the local communities where we operate. It’s the New York way. We look out for one another.”
The team’s efforts are part of Avangrid’s Energized for Good program, which donates $15 for every hour employees volunteer, up to $1,500 per employee annually. That means Liberty’s 1,300 volunteer hours translate into nearly $20,000 in funding for local organizations. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” John says. “We help the community, employees feel good about what they’re doing, and the organizations we support get an extra boost.”
For John, volunteering is not only good for the community but good for morale. “People get to work with colleagues they don’t normally interact with and do something different. It’s rewarding,” he says. “It’s easy to get people involved because it’s fun.”
Finding Meaning in the Work
Among all the projects he’s led, one of John’s favorites is maintaining the local rail trails. “I use the trails myself. I like seeing them clean, neat, and well maintained. There’s a personal connection there,” said John.
That sense of ownership extends to the entire Liberty Division. The employees take pride in where they live and in knowing their efforts make a visible difference. It’s no surprise that John’s leadership earned him the Iberdrola International Volunteer Engagement and Promotion Award, a recognition of his commitment to community service. “This award means a lot because we do go out of our way to help the community, and it’s nice to see that recognized,” said John.
John sees the program’s success as something that any division, large or small, could replicate. “It’s not hard to start,” he says. “You don’t need a big event. Just pick something small, get a few people together, and do it. Once others see the impact, they’ll want to be involved too.”
His advice is simple: don’t overthink it. “There’s always a need in the community,” he says. “We have the people and the skills to help. You just have to take that first step.”
The results speak for themselves. What began as a handful of volunteers helping out around town has grown into a powerful example of community partnership and pride. The Liberty Division is proof that when employees come together with a shared purpose, the impact goes far beyond the workplace.
As John puts it, “It’s a benefit to the community, to our employees, and to the company. Nobody loses.”
