20 National Grid Workers Help Zoo New York Prep for Winter

When winter preparation meets community spirit, everyone wins.

More than 20 National Grid employees rolled up their sleeves recently to help Zoo New York in Watertown prepare for the harsh winter months ahead. The volunteers tackled various projects, from painting sheds to completing building repairs that zoo staff needed done before the cold weather arrived.

Logan Eddy and Bethany Armstrong were among the National Grid workers who spent their day painting a shed at the zoo. Their effort was just one piece of a much larger puzzle happening across upstate New York that same day.

The volunteer work happened during National Grid's annual Grid for Good Day of Service. The company organized dozens of similar projects throughout the region, connecting employees with community organizations that needed help.

Grid for Good extends far beyond a single day of service. The program partners with schools, nonprofits, and local leaders year-round to tackle real community needs.

20 National Grid Workers Help Zoo New York Prep for Winter

The initiative focuses on three key areas: helping households manage rising energy costs, expanding access to education and job training, and supporting communities when severe weather strikes. These aren't abstract goals but practical ways the company puts resources where they matter most.

The Ripple Effect

The numbers tell a powerful story about sustained commitment. National Grid reports its employees logged more than 60,000 volunteer hours in 2024 alone.

The company also invests heavily in STEM education programs designed specifically for disadvantaged young people. These training programs aim to open doors to energy careers for students who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities.

For Zoo New York, the volunteer day meant critical winter preparations got finished on time. For the National Grid employees, it meant using their hands to build something stronger than infrastructure: community connections that last.

When companies turn volunteer days into volunteer years, communities thrive.