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Highlighting our Volunteers of the Year
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Steve Estes is being honored as a Volunteer of the Year for his commitment to his community.Described as a “true inspiration to everyone around him,” Steve Estes is being honored as a Volunteer of the Year for his commitment to his community, especially as it pertains to LBGTQ+ youth and the environment.
Embarking on retirement after 36 years with company, most recently serving as a Senior Business Process Systems Analyst for Dominion Questar Gas Company in Salt Lake City, Utah, Steve dedicates more than 200 hours of service to various organizations each year. But, a few missions are particularly close to his heart.
A member of the board of directors for Encircle Utah, which serves LGBTQ+ youth, Steve helps the organization assist young adults through therapy, life-skills classes and family support.
“Sometimes you don’t realize the impact you are making,” said Steve. “A few years ago, my boyfriend and I were flipping hamburgers for an event. A therapist thanked me for making a difference in these children’s lives. I said, ‘I am not making a difference. I am simply serving food.’ He said, ‘By being here, you are showing these kids that having a healthy LGBTQ relationship at an older age is possible. Most of the LGBTQ youth can’t see past next year.’”
In addition to this service, Steve has also spent time as the Community Liaison, Chair and Co-Chair for the Dominion Energy Pride West Employee Resource Group. Through this role, he’s organized a wide variety of company-sponsored events and fundraisers to benefit his community.
“Thirty-six years ago, when I attended my first gay pride festival, I was afraid I would be fired if my work found out,” said Steve. “Now my work celebrates the festival with me. It is literally life-changing.”
Passionate about our earth and its wellbeing, Steve is also on the board of the Pax Natura Foundation, for whom he organizes events, and conducts education and outreach.
“Pax Natura (Peace With Nature) tackles environmental problems like global warming and food scarcity,” says Steve. “These issues and other issues are connected. You can’t solve one without solving them all.”
One of Steve’s favorite memories with Pax Natura involves Dr. Jane Goodall. “I was honored by the University of Utah’s Department of Humanities with an honorary degree for my environmental work. As a part of this, my boyfriend and I traveled to Cuba as diplomats, seeing parts of the country that most Cubans don’t see. I was honored to be the person to give Jane Goodall the Pax Natura award for her work. Dr. Goodall and I spent the entire day together.”
As part of his designation as Volunteer of the Year, Steve selected Pax Natura to receive a $5,000 grant from Dominion Energy on his behalf. According to Steve, those funds are already being implemented in conducting positive change.
“Pax Natura is promoting agroecological farming and gardening practices within communities across San Martin, Guatemala,” said Steve. “In particular, this project’s goal is to help reduce carbon emissions, expand biodiversity and feed the local community through new methodologies.”
Steve says he was shocked to be chosen as Volunteer of the Year, and sees his services as mutually beneficial.
“I don’t think my volunteering is serving other people; it is the other way around— they are serving me,” said Steve. “I learn so much, gain insights and see how fortunate I am. I am the one that gains the most in my volunteer work.”
Learn more about Dominion Energy’s employee volunteerism and community development programs.
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