EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: CAROL WOOD
By day, Carol Wood is the Site Administrative Assistant at the LyondellBasell Chocolate Bayou Polymers Plant, supporting 60+ employees to ensure all plant duties, responsibilities and needs are met. By night, Wood dedicates much of her free time giving back through volunteering in the local communities surrounding Alvin, Texas.
Wood has always had passion for service projects, often leading volunteer efforts and encouraging Chocolate Bayou employees to take part in any way they can. Whether it’s mentoring students with the local education foundation, planting trees for Global Care Day, or collecting canned goods for a food pantry donation, Wood leaves no stone unturned when it comes to her commitment to a cause.
“Last summer, I came across a local horse sanctuary in Alvin called Habitat for Horses,” said Wood. “I love animals and would love to have horses of my own if I had the land for it. I signed up to attend a volunteer orientation and immediately was hooked!”
Wood began spending every Friday after work and a few hours each weekend tending to the horses at the sanctuary. Depending on the day, volunteer work generally consists of cleaning buckets, feeding and refilling the solar powered water troughs, and brushing the horses. Currently, the sanctuary spans over 400 acres and holds almost 250 rescue horses, a majority of which are separated by numbered pastures based on temperament, age and physical ability until they are rehabilitated enough to adopt out as “Ready to Ride,” “Needs Training,” “Burros & Minis” or “Companionship” horses.
LyondellBasell strives to make a difference in the communities where we operate, and that includes through volunteerism. In the U.S., LyondellBasell employees are eligible to apply for a Dollars for Doers grant. This program provides contributions to eligible charitable organizations where employees donate their time.
“There are so many horses and not enough of me,” described Wood. “I knew LyondellBasell had a volunteer program and so I looked into whether Habitat for Horses could benefit more from the time I was spending at the sanctuary. Sure enough, as long as I log my volunteer hours and get them approved, the company will contribute to the organization.”
“Our Chocolate Bayou team is so proud of Carol and her passion for helping our local community,” said Ryan Norris, Site Manager. “Her use of Dollars for Doers sets the example for all of us and I hope it inspires other employees to utilize the program.”
Wood continues to devote her time and energy each week to lending a helping hand at the sanctuary.
“It’s not even about the money, I’d be out there anyway,” said Wood. “The contributions made from my time are just a bonus.”
To learn more about Habitat for Horses, visit www.habitatforhorses.org/
