Young Professionals Leave Their Watermark on Local Community During the AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference (UMC), held in February this year in Orlando, more than 25 volunteers attending the Young Professionals (YP) Summit in sunny Florida took time to make a difference and leave a positive impact in the community. Participants in the summit, held in conjunction with UMC, included YP members from the Water Environment Federation (WEF), American Water Works Association (AWWA), and event host, Toho Water Authority (Toho), along with members of the Florida Section AWWA Young Professionals Committee. Volunteers spent the day helping to renovate the grounds of Hope Commons, an expansion facility of the Hope Partnership, which is a community organization
that provides services to neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty throughout Osceola County. “This was a great way to kick off the conference while harnessing the passion and enthusiasm of the group to give back to our central Florida community,” said Tonya Sonier, AWWA YP Committee member and event organizer. Volunteers installed 90 bags of mulch, planted over 100 FloridaFriendly Landscaping™ plants, and gave a facelift to the organization’s business sign by adding several coats of fresh paint. “It was so satisfying to see what started as an idea at Toho realized as a vision that was embraced by the young professionals in the water sector, which led to us working as a team to improve our community,”
Gathering for a quick group photo as volunteers gear up for the day.
Volunteers loosening the soil with garden tools to prepare the area for new plants.
said Jacqueline Torbert, Toho’s senior director of stakeholder services. In addition, volunteers cleared leaves, pulled weeds, cut back existing plant beds, and removed all the debris. The freshly redesigned landscape will provide visitors with
an inviting and calming welcome as they seek necessary services. The YP Summit brings together bright, motivated water professionals from across the United States and Canada interested in exploring the best ways to serve the water sector. S
Testing out the future paint color with a creative message.
Taking a minute to relax around the water cooler after a successful day of landscape renovations.
58 May 2022 • Florida Water Resources Journal
