PEC employee makes New Year’s resolution inspired by cooperative giving
Criselda Hernandez vows to volunteer, give back to her community this year
When the new year rolls in, so do the resolutions, but they usually don’t last more than a month or two. This year, PEC Member Services Agent Criselda Hernandez wanted to make a resolution she could stick with: giving back by volunteering in her community. Almost five months later, she’s still committed.
“This is probably the biggest goal I’ve set for myself and that I’ve followed through with,” Hernandez said. “I’m really proud of myself, but more importantly, I feel good about giving back. It’s very rewarding.”
For years at PEC, Hernandez had been hearing about her coworkers’ volunteer efforts, and when she saw the success of our volunteer event at the Central Texas Food Bank last December, she knew she didn’t want to make any more excuses. In January, she started volunteering with Meals on Wheels in San Marcos on the weekends, and she participated in our Read Across America Day event in March. Through volunteering, she has learned that she’s passionate about causes benefitting senior citizens and children, which has also helped her get out of her comfort zone.
“Specifically, with Read Across America Day, I was nervous to read in front of a group of people,” Hernandez said. “I think it was just a matter of going out there and doing it …. PEC has been a great influencer for me in all of this.”
Like other cooperatives, PEC has long been committed to seven cooperative principles, among them Concern for Community, and it’s become a crucial part of our corporate culture. Many employees participate in our corporate giving programs and volunteer days as well as contribute their own time and money to local causes.
Hernandez encourages anyone and everyone to give back to their community. It’s about finding a cause you believe in and sharing your blessings with others, she said.
“I have a little saying on my desk: ‘Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you,’” Hernandez said. “I can’t say it enough: Just go out there and try it, and you will see why it’s so important to be a part of your community in this way.”
