Volunteer Spotlight: Recognizing our first Helping Hands Award winner
By Nichelle Rachal, Associate Director, Community Relations
To support our culture of giving, each month we’ll be recognizing teammates who volunteer their time to serve their communities with the Helping Hands Award. Winners will be selected at random from among those who log their volunteer hours. They will each receive $100 to donate to an organization of their choice.
Our first Helping Hands Award winner is Dan Kellenberger, vice president and general manager for our CloroxPro business. Here’s what he shared with us about his experience as a volunteer.
What inspires you to volunteer with your organization, and how long have you been volunteering?
I began volunteering more when I started working at Clorox 23 years ago. I remember early on volunteering at the Alameda County Community Foodbank and seeing firsthand how volunteer contributions made a real difference in people’s lives. That felt good and inspired me to do more.
Can you share a memorable volunteer experience?
There are several, but one that stands out to me was when I was working in the Cleaning Division. We were working with a group called Humble Design, which provides comfortable, furnished living spaces for those transitioning from homelessness. Over the course of a day, we fully furnished an apartment in Oakland and surprised a young family who was transitioning from a shelter. I will never forget the emotions in the room from both the family and volunteers.
How do you manage your volunteer work alongside your professional responsibilities?
I actually see volunteering as part of being a professional, not separate. In Clorox Professional, we make sure we host events and encourage everyone to create time and energy to support the causes that matter to them.