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“It felt really rewarding to be a part of a team that makes that magic happen. I loved seeing people’s faces light up when they received their gifts. It’s what it’s all about.”
Meter Exchanger Blake Lorimor witnessed the joy of giving back to others when he volunteered with the Louisville Water Service Board at the Salvation Army Angel Tree this month. It’s the third year the Board has led a company-wide project to support Angel Tree.
Just one day earlier, Lorimor’s father, Louisville Water Plant Maintenance Mechanic Lee Lorimor, helped deliver Christmas for some families at Field Elementary.
“The fact that I can help in any way to provide a family with a Christmas that they might not be able to have reminds me to treat the stranger as you would like to be treated,” Lorimor said.
Field Elementary sits behind the Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant. Many years ago, employees at both Crescent Hill and B.E. Payne Water Treatment Plant decided to work with the school’s family resource coordinator to “adopt” a family and provide Christmas. That idea has grown over the years as has the number of people in need.
“This year had the broadest age range of kids that I can remember, from two to 13 years old,” said Supervisor of Water Quality and Compliance Autumn Gibson, who helped organize it all. “Thanks to the generosity of one individual, we were able to provide several toys for all seven kids, and in some cases all the toys before we even started gathering money. In addition to that donation, almost $2,000 was collected for the three families.”
You’ve heard the expression ‘It takes a village’, and the Louisville Water village was busy with elves across the company. From adopting and shopping for Field Elementary families to adopting and shopping for more than 60 Angel Tree children, dozens of employees also volunteered at the Salvation Army to help behind the scenes.
“I love Christmas, and I think every kid deserves to have a great Christmas! I’m so happy that we all could help,” said Distribution Associate Devinn Tytus who was one of many checking the bags and checking them twice to ensure each child received the minimum requirements. Volunteers scoured the Angel Tree warehouse for any missing items or to replace wrong clothing sizes.
“Shopping for the Angels is probably my favorite part!” shared Communications Specialist and Service Board member Kathleen Speicher, who co-chaired the project this year. She adopted an Angel but also shopped for seven others for employees who wanted to help but may not embrace that gift of shopping. “I was thrilled to see so many friends and coworkers get involved. If that meant a little more shopping on my part, then that’s what I was going to do. Making those Hello Kitty and Tonka Truck wishes come true, even searching for the perfect clothes, brought a smile to all our faces.”
Local 1683 adopted 10 Angels as a group, the most it’s ever done. Three union members tackled the task of shopping for them.
Garage Master Mechanic Brad Mattingly said he looks forward to it every year as he and his wife knock out part of the list, while Emergency Turner Toni Estes braved the Black Friday sales to score the riding toys Mattingly happily loaded into a Louisville Water car.
Fellow shopper, Senior Repair Leader Mike Sweat said, “Thank you for allowing us to share in providing for these children this Christmas season.”
It’s truly inspiring to see how the whole company comes together, and their families enjoy it just as much.
“I know my wife looks forward to this event every year because our own kids are grown, and we don’t have any grandchildren yet, so she loves buying gifts for small children,” Lee Lorimor said.
“Each year, I am still amazed to see probably 30 people donate their money and time for shopping, wrapping gifts, and delivering them to the school. I am so thankful for all of them,” said Gibson.
That same sentiment is shared by Customer Service Representative and Service Board member Amanda Cannon who co-chaired Angel Tree for the first time.
“We exceeded our goal. There was more engagement this year, and I am so very proud of our team and our very generous company. Thank you to everyone who participated,” she exclaimed.
Because “It really takes so many hours and so many volunteers to pull off an operation like this,” explained Trevor Huffman, the Salvation Army’s director of volunteer services for the Louisville area. “We’re proud to increase the campaign from last year.”
The Angel Tree served more than 12,000 children in Louisville, Elizabethtown, and New Albany in 2024. Playing any part in that mission is what hopefully brings back volunteers like Blake Lorimor.
“I decided to volunteer with the Angel Tree this year because every kid deserves to have a magical Christmas. Everybody was in a good mood (on distribution day), and it really brought back my Christmas spirit that I’ve lost as I’ve gotten older.”
Finding that holiday magic is one of the best gifts you could receive.
“I love that my job allows me to contribute to the community daily, but it’s especially meaningful for me to give back during the holiday season.” Gibson shared, “I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home where there were always presents beneath the tree on Christmas morning. Helping provide that experience to someone else is the best way I can think of to end the year.”
Louisville Water wishes all of you a safe and happy holiday season!
