National Grid Employees Unite for First-Ever Global Day of Service, Making a Difference in Local Communities in the U.S. and U.K.

From September 29 to October 3, over 1,500 National Grid volunteers took part in more than 70 projects that included:

• Beautifying public parks and green community spaces, planting more than 1,000 new plants and clearing over 500 bags of trash and debris.
• Supporting educational programs for students and youth, hosting 1,800 students, demonstrating career opportunities in energy and creating 950 science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) kits.
• Preparing and packing more than 1,900 meals and harvesting over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce.

National Grid’s Grid for Good Global Day of Service is part of the company’s social impact and community engagement initiative, dedicated to making a positive difference in the communities it serves. This program is guided by three pillars – increasing access to affordable energy, developing the energy workforce and supporting community resilience.

“This was a successful effort uniting our employees on both sides of the Atlantic, partnering with community organizations to support our local neighborhoods where we operate and live,” said Komie Jain, Global Head Social Impact and Community Engagement, National Grid. “Our Grid for Good Global Day of Service underscores National Grid’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities now and into the future.”  

U.S. Highlights:

• Batavia, NY – At GLOW With Your Hands, students in grades K-12 tried out skilled trades through hands-on experiences and simulations, including operating an electrical line truck. Also, a team of volunteers hosted a Career Day for students in the company’s Albany, NY facility.
• North Grafton, MA – Volunteers harvested, processed and packed hundreds of pounds of onions, kale and peppers and removed irrigation lines for the winter at Community Harvest Project.
• Staten Island, NY – Volunteers teamed up with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and neighbors to clean and beautify the downtown commercial corridor, picking up leaves and trash, making a visible difference.
• Waltham, MA – 300 care bags with snacks were created to support Bottom Line students in college.
• Yaphank, NY – At Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County Farm Education Center volunteers painted and updated the exterior of the education center which provides youth with community service opportunities and STEM education.

U.K. Highlights:

• Coventry – Volunteers were educated on the challenges young people face in this deprived part of the city, and also provided practical support to improve the environment in which the Positive Youth Foundation centre provides a safe space and intensive programmes for vulnerable youth including education, employment and training, healthy and safe lifestyles, arts and culture.
• Iver Heath, Leeds, Stratfordshire – Teams supported Environmental Education Centres clearing pathways and maintaining green spaces for the facilities that provide environmental learning and employment opportunities.
• Warwick – Gardening and building maintenance were carried out at Saltisford Canal Trust to support this historic location and thriving center for biodiversity and wellbeing.

The Grid for Good Global Day of Service is a component of National Grid’s year-round commitment to local communities – investing in neighborhoods, supporting education and helping families access affordable energy.

National Grid’s social impact and community engagement work continues in October with Energy Awareness Month events including:

• STEM-X Festival, Oct. 10 & 11, with Morrison Mentors at Cradle of Aviation on Long Island
• Bright Habits, Oct. 23, at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
• STEMFEST, Oct. 25, with STEM NOLA at the Museum of Science in Boston

To learn more about National Grid’s community work and social impact and community engagement initiatives visit Grid for Good | National Grid