“There is nothing more rewarding than volunteering. I love seeing all the people working together. It keeps me going. When I see all the work that needs to be done, it reminds me that we all need to do our part and get involved,” said George Gomez, retired supervisor in planning and design, and now a member of the DTE Alumni Network.
George Gomez
George worked at DTE for 40 years, filling roles across the company and eventually retiring from planning and design. While he worked at the company, he was inspired to get involved in the community through volunteerism.
“I am glad to say I always took advantage of volunteer opportunities that DTE shared with us. Volunteering was easy once I retired, I just kept going,” said George.
George first volunteered through the company when a tornado devastated part of Hamtramck. He was part of a group of volunteers that helped clean up and plant trees in the baren area to bring back some life. From then on, he was hooked.
Today, George volunteers at Forgotten Harvest, Focus Hope, ReLeaf Michigan and Greening of Detroit. His tasks range from planting trees to packing meals and distributing them directly to families. He is so involved that his volunteer efforts were recently recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Detroit Chapter as a Distinguished Volunteer.
“I do whatever they tell me! DTE taught me that: look for what they need and help meet the need,” said George. “I also like feeling like part of a larger team, like when I was at DTE. I spend quite a bit of my time volunteering and making these connections but ultimately, I can donate as much of my time as I’d like. I encourage people to get involved in their community. It’s about the time you’re willing to give, even a few hours per week can have a massive impact.”
When asked what George wishes people knew about the power of volunteering, he said, “I wish people knew it’s really more rewarding. You get more than you give. I feel so fortunate to have worked at DTE and not had to worry about some of these needs that I see in the community. It’s uplifting.”