Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Bright Spots. This month, electric cooperatives reached out to members on both sides of the generational spectrum with safety demos and magic shows on one end and digital literacy class for seniors on the other. Elsewhere, A North Carolina co-op passed through two significant federal zero-interest loans to communities in dire need of new firefighting equipment.

Have a Bright Spot you’d like to share? Please send your news and photos to Victoria Rocha and Katie Allen.   

The Magic of Electricity

For the past 23 years, Aiken Electric Cooperative has sponsored an electrical safety magic show in elementary schools across its South Carolina service area. Each year, 300 to 500 first graders watch professional magician Chris Dixon, or “Doc” perform sleight-of-hand illusions and captivating tricks while learning about electrical safety. The Aiken-based co-op hires Dixon to perform his 20-minute shows over a two-day period in its community room and at local schools in more rural areas.

“It’s a program that sticks—even years later, when we visit schools for career days, students often tell us they remember the Aiken Electric magic show,” said Daniele Ligons, the co-op’s marketing and strategic services manager.

Helping Seniors Go Digital

Since 2024, Oregon’s Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative and its subsidiary Beacon Broadband have offered the Connected Senior Program, a free, hands-on digital literacy classes for older adults. Participants learn practical skills such as sending emails, calling over video, navigating telehealth platforms and conducting online banking. Local high school students mentor seniors in three south coast locations, including co-op partner Southwestern Oregon Community College.

“They learn the technology, but they also learn from each other, and that is what strengthens a community,” said Keith Buchhalter, marketing and member services manager at the Port Orford-based co-op.

Free Trees for Earth Day

Northeastern REMC celebrated Earth Day with its annual Free Tree Giveaway at its headquarters in Columbia City, Indiana. Members could stop by and pick up two trees—three for those enrolled in paperless billing—among a variety of species: white pine, river birch, sugar maple, shagbark hickory and pecan. Now in its fifth year, the event is designed to encourage environmental stewardship and give members an opportunity to plant and care for trees in their own communities.

“Over the years, we’ve been able to put thousands of trees into the ground, and it’s exciting to see the impact that continues to grow,” said Christopher Todd, director of marketing and communications.

A Busy Spring for Texas Co-op Trucks

United Cooperative Services bucket trucks have been racking up the miles lately to reach the co-op’s youngest members. Last month, lineworkers participated in a Touch-a-Truck event sponsored by the City of Joshua, Texas. Area families explored vehicles and met lineworkers and other first responders. Crews and vehicles from the Burleson-based co-op also went to Irving Elementary School’s Careers on Wheels event, an interactive, annual career day for students.

“The event was a great opportunity to inspire students and showcase real-world careers at the co-op,” said Megan Newton, communications coordinator at the co-op.

Back to School in Florida

Employees in Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative’s safety department, Bill Bayer and Pat Sullivan and Matt Platt, and lineworkers from the Florida co-op’s Bayonet Point District, Robert Pollock and John Finch, recently provided a hands-on safety demonstration at Dayspring Academy’s Angeline Campus in Land O’Lakes. The team showed students how electricity works, the importance of staying safe around power lines, and the protective measures crews use every day to safely keep the lights on for the community.

“Educating the next generation is a key part of WREC’s commitment to safety and service, and we appreciate Dayspring Academy for the opportunity to connect with and inspire their students,” said Stephanie Wilson, member relations analyst at the Dade City-based co-op.

Family Game Night

Ohio winters can be long and cold, so to cheer things up, Firelands Electric Cooperative sponsored a Let the Games Begin Contest, a family board game giveaway. The New London-based co-op gave away three family board game packages to co-op members with children. The packages contained classics like Yahtzee, Sorry, Uno and Trouble. Also included was Power Haus, a board game that teaches players about energy consumption and efficiency.

About 120 families entered, and when picking up their prizes, all three winners said their families enjoy regular game nights, said Tracy Gibb, communications and member relations specialist.

Young Artists at Work in Indiana

Indiana Electric Cooperatives are honoring their Artist of the Year for winning first place in their 29th annual Cooperative Student Art Contest. High school junior Luciana Harmon won for her colored pencil drawing of a deer in the Indiana woods. A first-place artist was also selected for each grade, K-12. Winners received $100; another 13 students received honorable mention awards and $50 each.

“Indiana’s electric cooperatives value the creativity and talent of young people in their communities,” said John Cassady, CEO of the Carmel-based statewide association. “This contest is a great way to encourage creative expression while giving students the opportunity to share their work with people across the state.”

New Fire Trucks in Cove Creek

North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Energy helped two local fire departments replace aging fire trucks through zero-interest loans provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department received $757,779 to purchase a new pumper fire truck and tanker, replacing vehicles more than 20 years old. Zionville Volunteer Fire Department received $360,000 to purchase a new pumper fire truck.

The two departments have worked together for years through mutual aid, routinely answering one another’s calls when emergencies require extra hands. “Staffed entirely by volunteers, these departments represent the very heart of rural community service,” said Tasha Rountree, director of community relations and economic development at the Lenoir-based co-op.

Power Up the Pantry, Part II

Each year Medina Electric Cooperative holds its annual Power Up the Pantry food drive to support the South Texas Food Bank and the San Antonio Food Bank. But to mark National Canned Food Month in February, the co-op stages collection sites at the co-op’s five district office. This year, the co-op collected more than 6,000 items of food and recently donated a combined $7,500 to both organizations. Last year, employees worked more than 320 volunteer hours to support the food banks.

“The food collected will help provide resources to rural communities, where access to affordable groceries can be limited and food assistance programs play a critical role,” said Jacquelyn Muennink, manager of communications at the Hondo-based co-op.