National Volunteer Week Southwest Gas Employee Spotlight: Maria Rodriguez, Analyst I, Las Vegas, Nevada

During National Volunteer Week – and all year long – we celebrate employees like Maria Rodriguez whose acts of service create meaningful change in our communities. Their stories remind us that no act of kindness is ever wasted. 

“Blessed” is the word that Southwest Gas Analyst Maria Rodriguez uses to describe her and her husband’s ability to be able to give back through volunteerism. Rodriguez, who has worked with Southwest Gas for seven years, is thankful for the opportunities the Company offers employees and their families to create impact in the communities they call home.  

“I am so blessed, and I believe in giving back when we can — it’s important,” said Rodriguez. “It makes me feel grateful that my family and I can participate in these events and make an impact in the community we call home.”  

Maria, her husband Gilbert, and their two daughters have participated in countless Southwest Gas BLUE - Building Lives Up Everywhere employee volunteer events, making service a family tradition. But one event hit close to home: the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed-building event.   

“Volunteering with my wife at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace event was deeply personal,” said Gilbert. “I grew up as a child of four in a household with one parent, and we didn't have beds —we slept on couches and floors most of my life. When Maria mentioned the opportunity to build beds for kids in need, I knew I had to help.”  

That day, the Rodriguez family helped build 60 beds from scratch for local children in need. It was a full circle moment for Gilbert.  

Today, Gilbert continues to volunteer with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, personally delivering bed kits and assembling them onsite for families in our local community.  

Through BLUE, Southwest Gas encourages employees to volunteer their time to support local nonprofits and uplift the communities where they live and work. Employees and their families are invited to participate in volunteer events that create meaningful impact — from tree planting and meal bag preparation to hygiene kit assembly and grocery distribution for those in need.   

For Maria and her family, these volunteer opportunities have become much more than events — they're shared moments of purpose.  

“I’m thankful to work for a company that encourages us to get involved. It means a lot to know we can make a real difference together,” reflects Maria. “These experiences have also brought our family closer — it’s always such a great experience. Being able to give back is truly a privilege.”  

Want to learn more about how Southwest Gas is making an impact in our communities? Visit swgas.com/en/community.