Ohio Neighborhood News

Showing up and giving back

At the party, my colleagues staffed a Carnation Solar table where families spun a prize wheel (complete with solar panel trivia!) and checked out 3D renderings of solar projects. It was a big hit with the kids.

Beyond the party, 15 of our employees (including myself!) participated in a volunteering event to make tie blankets and assemble gift bags for teenagers. These bags included essentials like body wash, deodorant, socks, sweatpants, toothbrushes, t-shirts — things to help a teen settle in on their first night with a foster family.

Backing the Bash: Our Role in the Event

The Back-to-School Bash event welcomed many local foster children and their families to help prepare for a brand-new school year–a daunting prospect for kids of all kinds, let alone those in the foster system. Held in the backyard of A New Leaf’s facility, the first thing we saw when we arrived was a huge inflatable slide, which the kids flocked to, and a few adults (my mom included) were tempted to try as well.

Alongside the festivities, A New Leaf shared resources for foster families, including information on support available throughout the school year. Trivia games highlighted A New Leaf’s role in the community and allowed families to connect with available resources. It was clear that the day was about much more than just fun; it provided meaningful support for both the children and the parents.

At the event, National Grid Renewables sponsored the slide, the pizza lunch, a Kona Ice truck, and school supplies for each child. We provided lunch bags and items like notebooks and fidget spinners, creating back-to-school kits that were both fun and practical. It was rewarding to see the kids enjoying the day and, to put it simply, being just kids—knowing we could offer them a chance to feel celebrated and prepared for the school year made our contribution more than worthwhile.

“I’ve lived here all my life. I always tell people that National Grid Renewables talks the talk and walks the walk–this is just a perfect example of us being able to come together and live that out in the community.”

The Day of the Build

The event took place at the Fairfield County Workforce Center, a large community space with plenty of room for each group’s playhouse setup. As we arrived, our designated floor space was stocked with materials: boards, paint, shingles, and the beginnings of a playhouse structure. We divided up tasks—some team members took on painting, while others managed the roofing and assembly. 

“It definitely was a team-building exercise. We had a plan, but we also had a few pieces painted on the wrong sides!”

As the playhouse came together, we carefully added purple and orange accents, freehand drawings, and stencils that matched the children’s interests. Eventually, we had transformed the raw materials into a colorful, imaginative playhouse ready for its new home. As proud as we were of ourselves, it really hit home when the family arrived to see the finished product. 

The kids darted in and out, exploring every inch of their new play space, while their parents and a grandparent expressed appreciation. Seeing their gratitude firsthand was a powerful reminder of the small ways community involvement can make a difference.

“People often see big companies as outsiders who come in, complete a project, and leave. But for us, this is about so much more. Being there, interacting with the families–it gave us a real sense of connection and belonging in the community.”