Minneapolis native Mark Monson, an Army veteran and CenterPoint Energy parts research analyst, was recently honored as an outstanding volunteer and Jefferson Award recipient.
The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America, presented on both a national and local level.
Monson served his country for two years as an active-duty soldier and 20 years in the Army Reserve, but did not end his service to the men and women in uniform after his retirement from the military.
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Since joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9433 in Rosemount, Minn., Monson has served on the house committee, has been both the junior and senior vice commander, served three years as post commander and also has been the food service manager.
His volunteer service over the past 12 years has included helping the VFW post acquire kitchen equipment at low or no cost and then installing it to create a working commercial kitchen. This has enabled the post to sell food on bingo nights, host benefits for cancer patients, host steak dinners for soldiers who are being deployed and raise money to help returning veterans, or the families of deployed soldiers, during financial hardship.
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Monson, who has worked for CenterPoint Energy for 25 years, also has created a website for the post and helps host a bingo night for the residents at the local veterans’ home. In addition to his work with the VFW Post, Monson serves on the youth education committee at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and coaches youth fast-pitch softball in his community and First Lego League for the local school.
“Last year, CenterPoint Energy employees and retirees, along with family and friends, amassed a staggering 235,847 volunteer hours,” said Diane Hasell, Community Relations senior director for CenterPoint Energy. “We’re extremely proud to have generous and compassionate employees like Mark who are so willing to serve in their local communities.”
CenterPoint Energy lends support to educational, civic, social and environmental initiatives that enhance the quality of life for our customers, the environment and the community as a whole. To see what CenterPoint Energy is doing in the community, visit CenterPoint Energy.com/Community.
