BROOKLYN, N.Y. – National Grid employee volunteers partnered with  HeartShare Human Services of New York, as part of the company’s annual Build Day, to construct raised flower beds and furniture to help empower people with disabilities across Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

The Build Day initiative exemplifies the steadfast dedication National Grid has to the communities they service throughout New York State. The ongoing commitment showcased during this year’s annual Build Day, along with events like this, reinforce National Grid’s commitment to support and uplift the communities in which it operates through Project C.

HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, through education, life skills and vocational training, employment, residential, case management, recreational, individual and family supports, and health care services.

“HeartShare can always count on National Grid volunteers to enhance the experiences of people we support,” says Mark Lupo, Director of Strategic Partnerships of HeartShare Human Services of New York. “Thanks to the commitment of the volunteers from National Grid, HeartShare's staff can provide uninterrupted care for their participants.”

Brooklyn / Southeast Queens

• National Grid volunteers assembled raised flowerbeds, and furniture including bookcases, storage cabinets and kitchen islands. These items will enhance both the learning and living spaces at HeartShare's program and residential spaces.

Staten Island

• National Grid volunteers dedicated their efforts to constructing a total of 40 raised flower beds for a residential housing complex.

“Providing raised garden beds and gardening tools for HeartShare’s day programs and residences will allow us to kickstart our "Let's Grow" gardening initiative, which would otherwise not be possible due to lack of funding, Lupo added. Raised garden beds make gardening more accessible for the people that HeartShare supports. It allows people to garden without having to bend or kneel, which can be difficult or impossible for people with limited mobility.  The "Let's Grow" gardening initiative will provide a variety of benefits for the HeartShare community such as: increased physical activity, improved mental health, and increased sense of accomplishment.” 

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.