Meet our Volunteers: 5 Questions with Jacqueline Torres & Jeff Dunton.

Jacqueline Torres & Jeff Dunton, The Hershey Company

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Jacqueline Torres: I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas and now reside in Houston. After college, I moved to New Orleans where I lived for five years. While in New Orleans, I started working for The Hershey Company as a sales representative. Last year, I moved to Houston to expand my career with Hershey in my current role as a Customer Sales Executive.

Jeff Dunton: I am originally from the Midwest, and I moved to Louisiana to attend LSU. Shortly thereafter, I started with The Hershey Company, where I have held several positions. Currently, I am the District Sales Manager for the New Orleans district.

2) What motivated you to volunteer with Rebuilding Together New Orleans?

As people who have lived in New Orleans not only through Katrina but in its aftermath as well, we realized that people and the community still need help in rebuilding their lives and their homes. We chose RTNO because of the positive experience we had with them during our National Sales Meeting in May. At that event, more than 600 Hershey employees helped rebuild 30 homes in New Orleans, dedicating an entire day to help several homeowners in need. As a result, we not only finished several projects but we also felt we gave a bigger part of ourselves to someone else. A couple months later we had the opportunity to do something on a local level, which brought us back to RTNO. Rebuilding New Orleans requires everyone in the community to come together and help. It not only helps rebuild the community, but it also heals and creates an even stronger sense of community.

3) What have you learned or gained from helping to rebuild?

That there is still a lot of work to be done and volunteers are critical in helping the community as it continues to recover. No matter what your skill sets are, they still can be used in some way.

4) What has been your best experience in New Orleans?

Hands down, the best experience has been watching the New Orleans community rebuild together. The community’s resilience and resolve has been a shining example of hope that New Orleans will continue to be the great city it has always been.

5) What is next for you?

As a company we find it important to continue the legacy of our founder, Milton Hershey, to not only delight consumers with our brands, but also to help those in need in our communities. Together we can make a difference.

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