Eleni (pictured, center) and other AmeriHealth volunteers host an 80s-themed dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, New Jersey.
Volunteering makes a difference in the lives of others, but it also makes a difference in the lives of volunteers. Connecting with people, finding a sense of purpose, and sharpening your skills (or learning new ones) are just a few benefits of community service.
As a service-oriented company, AmeriHealth encourages its associates to support local nonprofits. Each year, associates spend hundreds of hours working with community organizations in New Jersey. And every year, AmeriHealth recognizes one associate as the AmeriHealth Volunteer of the Year.
Cooking up community
We are proud to recognize Eleni DiPietro, Director of Underwriting at AmeriHealth, as the 2025 AmeriHealth Volunteer of the Year. Eleni embodies the true spirit of service, donating countless hours to champion local nonprofits and foster a culture of connection, both with her AmeriHealth associates and her community.
We recently spoke with Eleni about what volunteer work has taught her, why she keeps coming back for more, and how cooking for others nourishes her spirit.
What inspired you to get into volunteering?
Simple answer — AmeriHealth. It’s one thing for a company to promote volunteering, but it’s another to see people at every level who want to contribute. AmeriHealth has a culture where giving back is genuinely who we are.
I’ve had the pleasure of volunteering with other AmeriHealth associates, leaders, and their families at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, Larc Norcross School in Bellmawr, and Food Bank of South Jersey, just to name a few. It’s really motivating to work with people who are so generous with their time, energy, and creativity.
The other pleasure I have is randomly volunteering my husband for events (sometimes he knows, sometimes he doesn’t). At this point, he’s convinced he should at least get an honorable mention.
What kind of volunteer work do you find most satisfying?
Cooking. When I cook, I like to have variety on my table. There’s always a little bit of everything, so the table always feels like a mini buffet.
My husband continues to shake his head at me because I constantly experiment with recipes for our monthly meals at the Ronald McDonald House. I love coming up with different meals and putting together dishes for others to enjoy. It gives me a chance to connect with a variety of people. Once, I came up with a dinner menu because someone told me how much they missed eating a particular meal. Cooking is creativity, conversation, and community all in one.
Is there something you learned from volunteering that you didn’t expect?
Seeing how people do the best with what they’re handed. There’s a genuine sense of gratitude and appreciation.
How has volunteering changed how you see your community and your role in it?
You never really know what people are going through. Put a smile on someone’s face, have a friendly exchange, give a bit of extra kindness. It doesn’t cost anything.
What advice do you have for people who want to volunteer but are unsure how to start?
Volunteering can feel intimidating at first, and that’s completely normal. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. Ask a friend or coworker to join you. Remember, you’re a small but important piece in a much bigger puzzle. Take a moment to look around and find where you can contribute to making something better for someone — you just made a difference.
