October 2019 … Healthy NewsWorks is honored to announce that it has been added to the list of nonprofit organizations that are eligible to receive employee donations from American Water, the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company.
The designation approved by the American Water Charitable Foundation means that company employees now can make a gift to Healthy NewsWorks that will be matched on a one-to-one basis up to $1,000 per person. Volunteer hours to Healthy NewsWorks will also count toward a company match.
The initiative is spearheaded by Sharon Manker, American Water’s supplier diversity coordinator. She also serves on Healthy NewsWorks’ recently created Community Advisory Board.
Sharon said Healthy NewsWorks captured American Water’s attention because the program gives children the opportunity to meet and interview people who are making a difference in their communities’ health and safety.
“I grew up in West Philadelphia and I had my own challenges in a rough neighborhood,” she said. “Showing kids that they are worth investing time into is important to me. Showing children that there are other role models besides athletes and music icons is important to me.”
Sharon also said she plans to set up opportunities for Healthy NewsWorks student reporters to meet American Water employees and visit the company’s headquarters in Camden.
“Working at American Water has been an eye-opening experience on understanding the value of water as a resource to sustain life,” she said. “I work with brilliant people who really care about the environment and whom I believe are some great role models to pique the interest of kids in STEM-related careers.”
In addition to promoting Healthy NewsWorks at American Water, Sharon developed a one-page flyer to encourage the public to donate to the program.
“We are deeply grateful for American Water’s support and are thrilled about connecting with its people,” said Marian Uhlman, Healthy NewsWorks executive director. “Water is a topic that our reporters learn and write about routinely. Now they will have an opportunity to meet and interview experts who are passionate about water health and safety.”
Established in 2010 with a founding contribution from American Water, the American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate.
