Service is one of the most impactful ways we can shape our communities. While April is National Volunteer Month, I&M is focused on making an impact every day. Whether it’s providing safe, reliable service to homes and businesses or our employees stepping into their communities with purpose and giving their time, I&M is showing up.

In 2025, we provided grants to 137 local organizations across our Indiana and Michigan service areas. But that’s not all. Our employees volunteered for more than 4,100 hours. We cleaned customers’ yards, served meals at shelters, packed backpacks for students, and made a difference for thousands of people.

One of those dedicated volunteers is Brittany Ego, Plant Reliability Program Owner at D.C. Cook. She combines her passion for horses and volunteering. You can usually find her at the Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Buchanan, Mich.

“The center provides horseback riding lessons and other opportunities to individuals of all ages with disabilities,” Ego said. “I volunteer with lessons as a horse leader and side walker and exercise the horses. This organization is my way of living out my inner child’s dream of working with horses and helping others.”

Fort Wayne Distribution Work Plan manager Amber Loucks also enjoys giving back to her community. She’s been involved with Junior Achievement, the United Way’s Day of Caring, and I&M’s chapter of the Military and Veteran Employee Resource Group.

“Although I’m not a veteran, I enjoy supporting veterans through social events, volunteer efforts, collections, and mental health awareness initiatives,” Loucks said. “I&M encourages us to give back, and being able to do that during work hours says a lot. This year we are once again going to organize an employee drive to collect hygiene items to support local veterans through Clothes for Joes.”

For Caleb Dean, Smart Grid Systems manager, volunteering at his Fort Wayne church became his calling.

“Over the last year, I have become what they call ‘The Chapel Champion’ for sports. I work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which has leagues for sports such as soccer, basketball, and cheer,” Dean said. “I help coordinate and oversee the leagues at my church for kids ages 5 through fifth grade and make sure they have a great experience and lots of fun.”

If you’re interested in volunteering but are unsure where or what organization to support, Dean offers this advice.

“I always wanted to serve and never knew what my gifts were or what I was good at,” Dean said. “One day, someone pointed me in the direction of our church and the sports leagues — and all I did was say, ‘Yes.’”

For more on how I&M gives back to our communties, click here.