Welcome to the August 2026 edition of Bright Spots. This month,  electric cooperatives are assisting families with back-to-school needs, teeing off for important causes, helping baby sea turtles, and much more.

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

Lighting the Way for Baby Sea Turtles

Brunswick EMC is helping nesting sea turtles make their way safely toward the ocean. Recently, the Supply, North Carolina-based co-op worked with the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization and the town of Ocean Isle Beach on a lighting replacement project. Bright, artificial lighting disorients baby sea turtles by sending them inland instead of toward the water; the co-op replaced 20 traditional streetlights with amber lights.

“We’re excited to be part of a solution that helps protect sea turtles while also providing a benefit to the Ocean Isle Beach community,” said Member Engagement and Communications Manager Brookes Versaggi.

Back to School With WREC

A new school year comes with expenses, and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative’s second annual community-wide supply drive has been a big help for families. Employees and members at the Dade City, Florida-based co-op collected notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, backpacks and other essential supplies. Later, employees delivered supplies to six elementary schools in the co-op’s service area.

“The incredible support shown by our employees and members during this year’s supply drive reflects the caring spirit of our cooperative and our shared commitment to investing in the next generation,” said WREC General Manager David Lambert.

Fiesta Time in Oklahoma

Each year, Walters, Oklahoma-based Cotton Electric Cooperative sets up a booth at the Fiesta in Fuqua, a back-to-school event in nearby Duncan organized this year by Connection Church. Families came for back-to-school giveaways but stayed for meet-and-greets with local first responders and co-op employees. Cotton EC’s Heath Morgan, Kaleigh Case and Annabelle Blasius were on hand this year to answer questions and invite students to see how quickly they could pedal an energy bike to light up bulbs.

“It’s a great opportunity to engage with the community we serve while educating children and families about electricity and the cooperative,” Blasius said.

Wildfire Assistance in Colorado

Employees at Tri-State G&T Association are involved in several efforts to help communities affected by devastating wildfires. Laura Getts, relationship manager at the generation and transmission cooperative, recently volunteered at the Aspen Acres Wildfire Donation Center to distribute essential household goods. In addition, after losing her home in the Marshall Fire, Tri-State G&T Wildfire Mitigation Manager Diana Leiker “hopes to provide advice and support to those affected by wildfires” in several ways, starting with a food and supply drive at Tri-State headquarters in Westminster, Colorado.

“It will be a long rebuilding process, and we are continuing to support wherever we can,” Getts said.

A Co-op Fashion Statement

At South Kentucky RECC, Casual Fridays aren’t just for the last day of the workweek. Employees at the Somerset-based co-op can voluntarily contribute $5 per paycheck to wear jeans an extra day each week—and benefit a good cause at the same time. Now called the Hope Fund, employees have raised more than $23,000 for more than 40 local charities selected by an employee committee. Recipients have included food pantries, homeless shelters, animal welfare groups, and even a restaurant owner to prepare and deliver Christmas meals and gifts.

“Seeing what started as a simple idea continues to grow and support organizations doing important work in our communities is really special to me,” said Credit and Collections Clerk Bobbie Coggins, who created the fund.

Golfing for Cooperative Families

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ third annual charitable golf tournament raised nearly $5,000 for the Cooperative Family Fund, which supports electric co-op families during times of loss. Since the event began, Iowa co-ops have raised $12,400 for the fund. This year’s event at the Brooks Golf Club in Okoboji drew 116 golfers and representatives from 25 vendors.

“It’s been a great way to raise money and awareness for the work of the Cooperative Family Fund,” said Erin Campbell, director of communications for the Des Moines-based statewide association.

More Golfing for Good

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative’s annual Charity Golf Tournament has raised nearly $70,000 since it began in 2021. This year, the annual tradition set fundraising and participation records. The event at the Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, raised nearly $18,000 for three local nonprofits serving children and families and attracted 30 teams and 35 sponsors. The proceeds will benefit Children in Crisis, Emerald Coast Autism Center and Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center.

The success of this year’s event “reflects the incredible commitment our community has to helping local children and families,” said Tyler Wood, tournament director and communications specialist at the DeFuniak Springs-based co-op.

SMECO, CoBank Help Local Charities

SMECO and CoBank recently donated $12,000 through the lender’s matching funds program to benefit local charities. Four organizations each received $3,000: the Jude House to support those recovering from substance abuse; Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many (WARM) for temporary overnight shelter; Friends of Calvert County Seniors to help those over 60 with dental care and other emergency expenses; and the Clements Cuties Foundation for children with cancer.

“SMECO is proud to stand with organizations that deliver essential support to Southern Maryland families,” said Natalie Cotton, government and public affairs director for the Hughesville-based co-op.

Powering Up Navajo Nation 

Lineworkers from 33 co-ops in nine states traveled to Arizona’s Navajo Nation over the summer for the Light Up Navajo Project, a national initiative to bring electricity to tribal families. Among them were 18 Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative lineworkers who labored in rocky, rugged terrain to energize 18 homes—the highest number completed in the project’s history, according to a spokesperson for the Dade City-based co-op. “Seeing the impact firsthand—the smiles, the tears, the gratitude from families experiencing power for the first time—is something that stays with you forever,” said Ricky Gude, a team lead and WREC district manager.

Delta-Montrose Electric Association participated in Light Up Navajo for the fourth straight year. The project “reflects who cooperatives are at our core. We're neighbors helping neighbors. Whether it's here at home or on the Navajo Nation, we're committed to improving the quality of life through the power of electricity,” said Jack Johnston, CEO of the Montrose, Colorado-based co-op.

Backing the Blue in Missouri

West Central Electric Cooperative showed its appreciation for law enforcement officers recently during National Police Week. Employees fanned out across the Higginsville-based co-op’s service area, delivering baskets of cookies, bottled water and co-op swag to 20 police departments and sheriffs’ offices in its service area.

“It was a good chance to shake a hand and thank them in person for the work they do to keep our communities safe,” said Heather Hoflander, a communications specialist.