Welcome to the first Bright Spots edition of 2026. In this month’s installment, a South Carolina co-op honors a beloved lineworker suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and a Tennessee co-op’s cleverly named food drive marks another successful year. Co-ops are also engaging their youngest members with an art contest for K-5 students in Tennessee and funds to help jumpstart a new youth recreation center in Georgia.
Have a Bright Spot you’d like to share? Please send your news and photos to Victoria Rocha and Katie Allen.
Forever a Part of the Co-op Family
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Former lineworker Leroy Taylor retired from Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative more than 20 years ago, but he remains a beloved figure at the Lexington, South Carolina-based co-op. The 91-year-old now has Alzheimer disease, and his memory care facility recently contacted the co-op about holiday gifts. Co-op employees jumped at the chance to honor Taylor, who was unable to attend MCEC’s annual retiree party. Bearing co-op-themed gifts and lots of holiday cheer, MCEC staff, including a lineworker whose grandfather worked with Taylor, brought the party to him.
“We wanted to go a step above, so we also brought a real-life bucket truck,” said the co-op’s Katrina Goggins. “His family said he doesn’t remember a lot, but he does remember working here.”
Feeding the Hungry With Dan’s Cans
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Since 2009, employees at Gibson Electric Membership Corp. have honored President and CEO Dan Rodamaker with six tons of donated food for local food banks. Each year, they present Rodamaker a can with a special label noting the year’s contributions and running total. He keeps those in his office at the Trenton, Tennessee, co-op as reminders of employees’ generosity.
“It’s not about ‘Dan’s Cans,’” said Rodamaker, who’s retiring at the end of this year. “It’s about the men and women at Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect who are always willing to share their blessings to help others. It’s my honor to serve alongside them.”
Cooking Up Support for Scouts
[image-caption title="Withlacoochee%20River%20Electric%20Cooperative%E2%80%99s%20Chuck%20Sheets%20(left)%20and%20Nate%20Newson%20work%20the%20griddle%20at%20the%20Florida%20co-op%E2%80%99s%20breakfast%20fundraiser%2C%20which%20re%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bsulted%20in%20more%20than%20$30%2C000%20for%20local%20scouting%20initiatives%20and%20scholarships.%20(Photo%20By%3A%20Stephanie%20Wilson%2FWREC)%20%E2%80%8B" description="%20" image="%2Fnews%2FPublishingImages%2FDSC08805.JPG" /]
In Hernando County, Florida, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative’s recent breakfast fundraiser brought in more than $30,000 for local scouting initiatives and scholarships. Employees at the Dade City-based co-op supply the food and drinks, and managers cook the feast. The event takes place at Scouting America’s Sand Hill Scout Reservation, which has doubled as a lineworker base camp after Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
During the breakfast, past and present scouts from across the community describe their transformation—proof that the fundraiser “will make a lasting impact on local scouting programs, helping young people gain skills, confidence, and leadership experience,” said WREC Manager of Member Relations Gary Steele.
A WIN for the Community
[image-caption title="WIN%20Energy%20REMC%E2%80%99s%20Hunter%20Pirtle%20(left)%20and%20Drew%20Walden%20mop%20floors%20at%20the%20Gibs%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bon%20County%20Council%20on%20Aging%20in%20Princeton%2C%20Indiana.%20Each%20quarter%2C%20the%20co-op%20%E2%80%8Bsends%20volunteers%20to%20local%20groups%20needing%20extra%20help%20for%20projects.%20(Photo%20By%3A%20Madeline%20Sievers%2FWIN%20Energy%20REMC)" description="%20" image="%2Fnews%2FPublishingImages%2FDSC02434%20(1).JPG" /]
Nonprofits in the Indiana service area of WIN Energy REMC needing extra sets of hands can now go to the Vincennes-based co-op for help. Developed as a leadership project by the co-op’s Madeline Sievers, WIN for the Community provides qualifying nonprofits five to 10 employee volunteers for a range of activities, such as packing lunches, landscaping, painting projects or cleaning. Applications are accepted year-round, and one will be accepted each quarter based on community impact and employee availability. The first project took place at a home for children awaiting foster care placement, where a co-op crew sanded and stained a playset.
Helping Save Lives in Wisconsin
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In Wisconsin, a $2,000 donation from Dairyland Power Cooperative and Richland Electric Cooperative will help the Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad save lives. The funds will help the Viola-based agency buy a Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) Machine, a device that provides consistent chest compressions for patients in cardiac arrest. The money comes from the Cooperative Contributions Program, which helps fund health care, education, community development and other needs.
“We are proud to support the Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad and the essential role they play in serving our communities, responding in times of need and ensuring the well-being of those who rely on their assistance,” said Dairyland President and CEO Brent Ridge.
An Artful Annual Meeting in Tennessee
[image-caption title="Meet%20the%20winners%20of%20the%20annual%20poster%20contest%20at%20Meriwether%20Lewis%20Electric%20Cooperative.%20For%20more%20than%2030%20years%2C%20elementary%20school%20students%20in%20the%20co-%E2%80%8Bop%E2%80%99s%20service%20area%20submit%20their%20artwork%3B%20winners%20are%20announced%20at%20the%20co-op%E2%80%99s%20annual%20meeting.%20(Photo%20Courtesy%3A%20MLEC)" description="%20" image="%2Fnews%2FPublishingImages%2FMLEC_2026%20Stage.JPG" /]
Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative recently selected the winners of its popular poster contest for kindergartners through fifth graders in its five-county Tennessee service area. Now in its third decade, the theme of the most recent contest was “MLEC: Because Every Moment Matters.” The co-op selects about 100 winners every year, including a top three and seven honorable mentions in two age categories. The co-op invites students and parents to attend its fall annual meeting, where it displays all the posters and announces the winners.
“It’s amazing how much happiness a simple posterboard and markers can bring,” said Vanessa Clayborn, member services manager at Centerville-based MLEC.
In Maryland, ‘Safety, Stability and Hope’
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Each fall, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative’s golf tournament raises money for that year’s corporate charity. The most recent outing raised more than $63,000 for three local shelters: the Robert J. Fuller Transitional House of Charles County, a project of Lifestyles of Maryland; Project Echo Inc. of Calvert County; and Three Oaks Center of St. Mary’s County. Past recipients include local hospices and a food bank.
Three Oaks Center will use its $21,000 donation to transform a dilapidated home into the Andre Rice Emergency Men’s Shelter to “once again provide safety, stability and hope for those who need it most,” said Sasha Seenath, the group’s executive director.
KidWind in Georgia Schools
Cobb Electric Membership Corp.’s foundation is teaming with independent power producer Sol Systems and Gas South to fund a STEM education program for teachers and students in Georgia’s Cherokee County School District. Each utility contributed $50,000 in matching funds. The hands-on program will expand the KidWind program, an award-winning national STEM education model focusing on renewable energy that’s expected to reach more than 1,100 students this year.
“We are all excited to continue to roll this out to future cohorts,” said Carley Stephens, the foundation’s executive director.
A New Place for Youth Recreation
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In Georgia, a $20,000 contribution from Oglethorpe Power Corp. will help outfit the Talbot County Community Center, a new recreation facility for community sports and activities. The donation will go toward gymnasium floor padding, equipment for basketball, volleyball and pickleball and other supplies needed to help open the center. “These donations will strengthen our youth sports programs and support a wide range of activities that benefit residents of all ages and bring our community together,” said Talbot County Manager Carol Ison.
The Tucker-based generation and transmission cooperative also donated $5,000 to the Box Springs Volunteer Dept. for safety equipment. The station operates in Talbot County near the G&T’s natural gas-fired combustion turbine plant.
Check out previous editions of Bright Spots below:
