Growing up, Krystle Thompson remembers coming home from school, dropping off her backpack and running all over town with her friends. She loved skipping rocks at the pond, playing outside and all the joy that came with living in a town where you know your neighbors across the street, as well as across town.

It’s that small-town feel that’s kept the Chillicothe-born AEP Ohio customer account representative living and working in her hometown so many years later—it’s also what drives her to volunteer.

To celebrate National Volunteer Month, we spoke with Krystle to hear why she’s so passionate about giving back her time. Read more below: 

“It’s what gives you that extra feeling of satisfaction,” said Krystle. “Giving back to the community where you grew up is so heartwarming.”

Krystle serves as a board member for the United Way of Ross County. A few years ago, she helped corral a team of volunteers for The Buck Fifty, a 150-mile area race that raises money for high school chapters of the Drug Free Clubs of America Program. With her AEP Ohio family at the Chillicothe Service Center, she’s also helped with winter coat drives, spent time in schools talking about career paths in energy and organized donations of school supplies.

The kids are always very excited for the beginning of the school year and very happy to get new school supplies. The smiles and giggles that you get to see make your heart explode.

 

Krystle is one of hundreds of employees who spend their work life with AEP Ohio—and their off-time in their communities—giving back. AEP Ohio employees have access to an online platform where they can see volunteer opportunities in their area and sign up for service projects. They can also set volunteer goals for themselves as motivation and track the hours they’ve donated. 

Working for a company where volunteerism is both encouraged and celebrated is paramount to employees like Krystle.

“It’s definitely a blessing, and that seems like such a small word to use,” Krystle said. “I’ve not worked with a company that puts this much effort, thought and caring into the communities they serve. That’s important to me as a person.”

Learn more about how AEP Ohio is partnering to build brighter futures for the communities it serves at AEPOhio.com/Community.

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