In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we are highlighting one of our volunteers who heads up our recycling efforts and is always ready to give a helping hand.
Through the V3 Social Responsibility program (VSR), we provide every employee with paid time off to volunteer their time and skills to help those in need. Whether contributing in river cleanups, mentoring STEM educational programs, constructing housing or delivering new water systems in Central America, we understand that being an enriched employee often means being an engaged citizen.
Rachael Berthiaume, P.E., LEED AP | Project Manager – Environmental Services
What got you involved in VSR?
I like recycling and volunteering every year, and VSR was a more structured way to get more people involved.
What organization do you partner with?
Centennial Volunteers is a coalition of organizations that encourage volunteers to restore the river basins and Forest Preserves. The organizations include Friends of the Chicago River, Audubon Chicago Region, North Branch Restoration Project, Friends of the Forest Preserves, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
What do you like about this organization?
Centennial Volunteers provides year-round opportunities to volunteer on weekdays and weekends, and various locations in the Chicagoland area. They also have different opportunities to match your interests, like bird and frog projects, trail and river restoration, and litter pickups.
Do you have a fun story from one of your volunteer days?
Last year, Chicago River Day was an adventure (pictured), as we balanced on branches and the river bank to collect trash from the water. We were determined to get it all.