Welcome to our latest edition of Bright Spots. Electric cooperatives have long been big boosters of local STEM opportunities for students, and you’ll see evidence of that in this edition with a North Carolina co-op’s donation of weather stations to local schools and a Maryland co-op’s sponsorship of a regional chapter of a national math competition for middle schoolers. Elsewhere, a Montana co-op pitched in with emergency funds to keep a community center from shutting down. Finally, you’ll want to be sure to scroll down to the bottom for a Winter Storm Fern tale from an Arkansas lineworker involving a dog named Hank.

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

Bright Skies for Budding Scientists

North Carolina’s Jones-Onslow EMC deploys Tempest weather stations at several substations to monitor local weather conditions. But now the Jacksonville-based co-op will be getting a bit of help from students at the elementary schools in its service area. Recently, the co-op donated new devices to 23 elementary schools to enhance lessons in environmental science and data analysis with hands-on access to real-time weather data through Tempest’s global network.

On a more local level, the co-op will use classroom findings to better prepare and respond to weather events, said Communications/Community Relations Manager Krystal Phillips. “It’s a great touchpoint—connecting students to real-world science while strengthening our ability to serve the community.”

Math Contest Counts on Co-op Help

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative has sponsored its regional version of the MATHCOUNTS national middle school competition for more than 30 years. Along with financial support, Hughesville-based SMECO plans and coordinates event details—from volunteers to refreshments to awards and trophies. This year, more than 200 students from 18 schools gathered at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick to test their math skills.

“In addition to investing in our local students and cultivating the next generation of thinkers, innovators and future engineers, supporting MATHCOUNTS directly aligns with our goal of strengthening STEM skills in our area,” said Natalie Cotton, SMECO’s government and public affairs director.

Remembering Veterans and the Vulnerable

In Indiana, Northeastern REMC members donated $2,500 in Operation Round Up funds to two local organizations: Whitley County Veterans Cemetery Cleaning and Restoration and Lexi’s Voice, a therapeutic horseback riding group for children healing from trauma.

The veteran group will use its grant to buy a 55-gallon drum of an approved solution specifically for cemetery monuments. “As a veteran, I understand how much these memorials mean to families and to our communities,” said Chris Todd, director of marketing and communications at the Columbia City, Indiana, co-op.

Lexi’s Voice will use its funds to offset costs for animal boarding, riding lessons and transportation for underserved families at a second location.

In Montana, Helping the Help Center

When Beaverhead Resource Assistance Center in Montana had to vacate its rent-free office in a county building, it faced imminent closure. But emergency grants from Dillon-based Vigilante Electric Cooperative and other local businesses kept the one-person, cash-strapped office running for those seeking in-person help to apply for public benefits, including federal heating assistance.

Stepping in not only kept a valuable resource open, but “it’s a win-win for us because the center helps those in need fill out the paperwork needed to keep their assistance, and it frees up our staff’s time,” said General Manager Trevor Parke.

The story has a happy ending: During the interim period, a community action agency in Butte provided a grant to keep the center open.

Kansas Co-op Powers the Pantry

Wheatland Electric Cooperative recently wrapped up a record year for Power the Pantry, its annual food drive. In 2025, the co-op donated more than $130,000 in cash and food items to a dozen local food banks across its service territory in southwest and central Kansas. Proceeds came from online fundraising, friendly school competitions, local business donations and proceeds from an annual golf tournament.

Since beginning as “Cram the Van” in 2014, it’s grown into a regional “grassroots effort that has consistently delivered real, measurable support to our food bank network, serving our neighbors in need each fall,” said Shajia Donecker, the co-op’s multimedia specialist.

Opening Hearts and Wallets for United Way

For 35 years, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative employees have given generously to the local United Way and the programs it funds throughout Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Dade City-based co-op matches employee contributions, doubling the impact. In years past, donations have helped fund programs that provide emergency shelter, food assistance, or rent and utility support for families needing immediate help. Contributions also support tutoring programs, early literacy initiatives and after-school support for at-risk students.

“Our employees truly live out our cooperative principles through their generosity and commitment to helping those in need,” said General Manager David Lambert.

Support for Local Enrichment Activities

In Montana’s Flathead Valley, two local groups with a mission to boost after-school opportunities got an assist from Flathead Electric Cooperative’s community education grant program. DREAM Adaptive Recreation received $50,000 toward its second location at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The organization provides year-round outdoor adaptive recreation opportunities, such as skiing, biking and kayaking, for those with sensory, cognitive and physical disabilities.

The second grant went to the Columbia Falls Academic Foundation for the Columbia Falls Junior High School music program. The $46,000 grant will help replace aging equipment and instruments, some dating back to the Great Depression—including a trombone from 1936 and French horns from the late 1960s.

The directors of the Kalispell-based co-op use unclaimed capital credits to fund Community Education Grants.

A Hot Start for Safety Instruction

Line crews from Overton Power District No. 5 have been busy taking their safety demo trailer to four elementary schools in the Nevada co-op’s service area. Speaking before groups of fifth graders, line crews showed equipment and techniques they use to do their jobs safely. Crews attached the hapless “Freddy” to the high-voltage unit to illustrate the deadly consequences if someone accidentally touches a power line.

“Our lineworkers did a masterful job at modeling electrical safety to the kids. It was a very effective way to get our safety message out into the community,” said MeLisa Garcia, CEO of the Overton, Nevada-based co-op.

Food Bank Support During Shutdown

When the federal government shutdown last fall delayed SNAP benefits, Piedmont Electric Cooperative’s Helping Hands Foundation helped hunger-relief organizations meet a surge in demand. The foundation donated $24,000 to six food banks to ensure households had access to nutritious food even as budgets were stretched thinner. Co-op employees also handed out 150 frozen turkeys, fresh vegetables and other necessities a week before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Volunteering during the holiday giveaway “was a humbling experience,” said Landon Hux, an engineering technician at the Hillsborough, North Carolina-based co-op. “It showed me how impactful simple acts of kindness are and how important it is to help others in our community.”

Mississippi Co-ops Honor MLK’s Legacy

Cooperative Energy and six of its member co-ops took part in their 8th annual MLK Cooperative Day of Service in conjunction with the national holiday. Over the years, employees have fanned out across the state to volunteer in schools, feed their neighbors, clean parks and streams and repair facilities at local nonprofits.

Projects this year included a ground cleanup of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point by volunteers from Singing River Electric Cooperative.

“Dr. King urged his fellow man to consider what he or she is doing for others. And what better principle to embody,” said Sara Peterson, director of corporate communications at the generation and transmission cooperative based in Hattiesburg.

Spreading Paws-itivity

When co-op crews are away from home during mutual aid efforts, an extra bit of encouragement is always welcome. Arkansas-based crews with AECI Utility Solutions recently traveled south to help Tallahatchie Valley EPA restore power after Winter Storm Fern, and a friendly four-legged visitor lifted everyone’s spirits.

AECI Utility Solutions Journeyman-Lineman Frankie Garcia describes the encounter:

“On day one, we pulled down a long, steep private driveway to assess storm damage on a line feeding a single home. The homeowner was present, Hank was on site, but unfortunately, we couldn’t restore power that evening. Day Two, we came back locked and loaded with everything we needed to finish the job. At first it looked like no one was home…until Hank came flying out of the woods, like, “Finally! You’re back!”

From that point on, Hank was our full-time supervisor. Sat with us. Watched every move. Quality control was strong. Once we wrapped up and headed to the end of the driveway to re-energize the line, I stepped out of the truck—and Hank hopped in like he was ready to roll to the next outage. Fully committed. Zero hesitation.

We snapped a few pictures of our unofficial crew member before explaining that HR doesn’t currently accept applications paid in belly rubs.

Power was restored. Spirits were high. And Hank may or may not have negotiated several peanut butter treats for his outstanding performance.

Storm work is tough—but sometimes you gain a four-legged friend along the way.

Check out previous editions of Bright Spots below: