News Releases

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (May 25, 2017) – In recognition of April as National Volunteer Month, PPL Corporation honored seven employee volunteers for their efforts in improving the communities in which they live and work. 

“As a company, we value corporate citizenship, but it is our employees who put that commitment into action, whether it’s Earth Day cleanups, pitching in for United Way Day of Caring or helping to deliver books to local schools to encourage summer reading,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Spence at a gathering of volunteers. “We genuinely appreciate and value their commitment to volunteering and helping to improve the communities we serve.”

Nominations from across the company’s 29-county service territory were submitted to recognize employees whose volunteerism inspires their peers, makes a positive impact in the community and shares PPL’s values. 

In addition to an engraved award, each winner received a contribution to a nonprofit of their choice. 

Pam Yale, universal services representative for regulatory programs and business services in Hazleton, earned PPL’s top award, Volunteer of the Year. Yale was recognized for her volunteer time helping students at the Hazleton Integration Center, a community-based effort that seeks to unite the people of many different cultures who now call Hazleton home. She also serves on the local Catholic Social Services Board of Directors and served as its Century Club campaign chairperson. She volunteers her time cooking and serving meals at the Divine Providence Homeless Shelter. Yale has been a United Way volunteer during most of her 35-year career at PPL, serving as a team captain and as a loaned executive. She coordinates and participates in many community initiatives, such as Bowl for Kids’ sake, Community Reading Day and Relay for Life. She also serves meals to the needy at Thanksgiving and Easter.

Donna Bowser, administrative assistant in Scranton, earned the Leadership Recognition Volunteer Award for advocating for the less fortunate. Bowser organizes contributions for the Women’s Resource Center in Scranton, collects gifts for disadvantaged children and holds food collections for St. Francis Food Kitchen. Bowser also served as the regional chairperson for the company’s United Way campaign in Scranton for many years.

Sue Drabic, senior talent management consultant in Allentown, received the Leadership Recognition Volunteer Award for her support of Martin Luther King Jr. events, networking with disabled college students, overseeing the local Girl Scouts Take the Lead training and conducting leadership training as a church volunteer. 

Chris Gonzalez, field manager-Distribution Operations in Hazleton, received a Peer-to-Peer Volunteer Award for participating in PPL career presentations, serving as a role model to high school students and engaging members of the future workforce. 

Nicole Lacouve, support engineer in Allentown, received a Peer-to-Peer Volunteer Award for her leadership of the PPL Exploring Post for William Allen High School and her role in leading other employee volunteers in promoting STEM careers to high school students.

Neil Matz, IT Systems engineer in Allentown, received a Peer-to-Peer Volunteer Award for his six-year involvement with the Pennsylvania Vent Camp, which is designed to meet the needs of ventilator-dependent children and teens. The camp offers a safe environment where ventilator-dependent youngsters can enjoy a traditional summer camp experience. 

Allen Mausteller, journeyman electrician-Substation in Bloomsburg, earned a Peer-to-Peer Volunteer Award for his work with the Mifflin Township Forest Rangers and Fire Company in Mifflinville. He also volunteers as a coach for two soccer teams for the Bloomsburg American Youth Soccer Association. 

Nonprofits receiving monetary awards on behalf of the winners included: Alliance Hall, Allentown; Pennsylvania Vent Camp, Hershey; Magical Memories, Turbotville; Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Allentown; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) PA-Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem; National Sisterhood United for Journeymen Linemen (NSUJL), White Haven; Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, Scranton; Hazleton Integration Center, Hazleton; and Divine Providence Homeless Shelter, Hazleton.