Volunteering is part of the culture at UniSource Energy Services, strengthening our vision of improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

The impact is measurable, given the financial value of each volunteer hour is worth $32.07 in Arizona, according to Independent Sector. That means the 7,016 hours of employees’ volunteer time last year translates into the equivalent of more than $224,000.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, meet three of our active volunteers.

Ben Matthews of Show Low

When Ben Matthews heads out to volunteer, he looks around for coworkers he can recruit to go with him.

Matthews likes to share the experience and promote community service.

Each month, Matthews, Supervisor of Construction and Maintenance in UniSource’s Show Low office, makes himself available when a truck shipment arrives with a delivery to the White Mountain Community Center, which runs a food bank in Pinetop-Lakeside.

On the fourth Friday of every month, he shows up to unload the food, which comes in from Phoenix. He usually brings colleagues with him.

“The first time I went, it was super fun. It takes an hour or an hour and a half and it’s physical,” said Matthews, who has been volunteering there since early 2024. He told them to call anytime they need help.

Matthews also does other volunteer work, including helping at the Trunk or Treat event in downtown Show Low. He has also built a UniSource-themed scarecrow for the City of Show Low’s Scarecrow Walk.

At the food bank, the small center staff and a few volunteers previously had to unload 12 to 28 pallets on their own, a task that would sometimes take hours. Now, Megan Campbell, the center’s Director, calls Matthews when the truck is nearby and he rallies his team.

“I’m so grateful for him,” Megan said about Ben. “I joke that when I got his card, it was the golden ticket.”

Center staff and volunteers have to make sure not to leave perishables outside for too long so they don’t spoil. That means they have to work fast to bring in the food that needs refrigeration.

Matthews said he enjoys the monthly task and he knows he can call on others to help, making the process smoother.

“I’ll probably do it once a month forever, as long as they need help,” Matthews said. “It’s very rewarding.”

Aaron McCoy of Prescott

Aaron McCoy’s ties with the Chino Valley High School baseball team go well beyond his three years as Booster Club President. It started in 1990 when Aaron was a member of the first graduating class of the school, and part of the baseball team in his sophomore year.

“When I was on the baseball team, it was a straight dirt field,” Aaron recalled.

Things are very different now. The home team dugout has been rebuilt, as has the visitor’s bullpen. The spectator area has been remodeled to be more comfortable and welcoming. The team’s clubhouse has new lockers with new flooring and paint, and a new 55” television to review film.

These changes have all been part of a series of improvement projects over the last two and a half years, with UniSource Energy Services providing a large amount of support through funding and volunteer hours.

Aaron, a Compliance Training Supervisor in Prescott, became involved with the Chino Valley Baseball team again when his son started high school there. Previously, Aaron coached his Little League team, and then joined the Booster Club, where he was almost immediately named Booster Club President.

The Booster Club raises money for equipment and uniforms and also supports students who need financial support to participate.

In addition to his Booster Club duties, Aaron involves his coworkers in volunteer events. The company has donated the use of heavy-duty equipment to complete field work, for example.

“UniSource is a major contributor in enhancing what the boys have to work with,” Aaron said. “We are making it a safer, better experience for their high school and sports experience.”

Being involved with the community is a family affair. Aaron’s son, a junior at Chino Valley High School, volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a nationwide wildlife conservation nonprofit. He also has helped with field improvements. Aaron was previously on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s board for three years and is still active in the Prescott chapter. Aaron’s wife, Brandie, is also part of the Booster Club and runs and operates the concession stands at the home games.

“Having involvement in the community and making a direct impact is important to me,” said Aaron. “It’s all about making the place better.”

Monette Fanning of Cottonwood

In her 41 years and various roles within the company, Operations Planning Support Specialist Monette Fanning, pictured far left, has had one constant: Her commitment to volunteering in the community.

Monette has been the Community Action Team (CAT) Chair in the Verde Valley office in Cottonwood for 17 years. Monette has the distinction of achieving 98 percent employee volunteer participation in her office for the year.

What is her secret to engaging her office?

“Finding their interests is important,” said Monette. “It’s a matter of finding what your fellow employees are interested in, what their passion is and how to integrate yourself into that organization. But the bottom line is that we are always there to help each other.”

Volunteerism and community service is a family affair with Monette. She began volunteering because of her family.

Monette’s husband, Jody, who was in law enforcement for 32 years, started the nonprofit group Law Enforcement Heroes. He launched that effort 12 years ago, when he was the Police Chief for Cottonwood Police Department, to supplement the budget with community engagement programs and essential equipment for police officers.

Though Jody has since handed off the reins at Law Enforcement Heroes, Monette is still deeply involved in first responder causes and often rallies her colleagues to help.

One of her favorite events is the National Night Out, where first responders gather to serve food and connect with the community in a fun and relaxed setting. In the neighboring town of Clarkdale, with only 10 police officers on duty, Monette realized that they didn’t have a chance to interact with the community since they were responsible for cooking at the event. She decided to step in, bringing in some of her coworkers to help.

“Every officer was so appreciative, and it was so rewarding,” said Monette. “It makes you feel good because our UniSource employees are clearly making a difference and people can see that.”

Monette views volunteerism as a group effort. In a smaller community like Verde Valley, and in an office of 21 employees, it’s important to simply bring everyone together, she said.

“If I can help bring a program to its fullest, everyone benefits,” Monette said. “Get a program running smoothly, it makes the community better.”