NIPSCO and NiSource employees rolled up their sleeves to support local nonprofits as part of the company’s annual Charity of Choice campaign in September.

The employee-led tradition focuses on service in the communities where employees live and work. Employees organized and led volunteer events that ranged from outdoor clean-ups and facility refreshes to food packing, event support and STEAM education activities.

In total, 537 employees participated in 43 volunteer events. They contributed nearly 1,850 hours of service with volunteers supporting 37 organizations across NIPSCO’s northern Indiana service area.

“Charity of Choice reflects who we are as a company. We’re neighbors helping neighbors,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO president and chief operating officer, in a press release. “Every September, our employees enthusiastically lead dozens of events in our communities and strengthen partnerships with nonprofits that uplift our communities.”

Volunteers partnered with a range of nonprofits across its northern Indiana service area, including:

• American Heart Association

• Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County

• Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana

• City of Gary Economic Development Corp.

• Columbia City Connect

• Community Help Network

• Crisis Center

• Cultivate Food Rescue

• Duneland YMCA-STEAM like a girl

• Emmaus Mission Center Food Pantry

• Erin's Farm

• Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center

• Family Advocates

• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

• Fortify Life

• Gary Alumni Pathways to Students

• Girls on the Run Northwest Indiana

• Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana

• Hearts In Motion

• Hilltop Neighborhood House

• Humane Indiana

• Junior Achievement

• La Porte City Park Foundation

• Latinos Count

• Leon's Triathlon

• Little River Wetlands Project

• Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana

• Monarch Joint Venture

• Opportunity Enterprise

• Phil's Friends

• Portage Township YMCA

• Save the Dunes

• Servants at Work

• Sojourner Truth House

• The Nature Conservancy

• TradeWinds Services

• White County United Way

At the Crisis Center in Gary, volunteers refreshed the building’s exterior with a new coat of paint.

“The building looks wonderful,” Renee Romanowski, development & volunteer coordinator, said. “It feels brighter, more cared for and better reflects the spirit of our mission.”

At Gary Alumni Pathways to Students, NIPSCO Vice President of Gas Operations Karima Hasan Bey and Public Affairs Manager Alexius Barber led career-readiness sessions for elementary students.

“Speaking with students was an incredible experience,” Hasan Bey said. “Our volunteers were proud to share their stories and help inspire the next generation of leaders right here in our community.”