Welcome to the March 2026 edition of Bright Spots. This month, as schools gear up for their spring sports season, a North Carolina co-op is partnering with local hospitals to ensure young athletes are heart-healthy before they take the field. In Florida, co-ops educated state lawmakers on the cooperative difference in a creative way, and, once again, members at multiple co-ops demonstrated their generosity through Operation Roundup.
Have a Bright Spot you’d like to share? Please send your news and photos to Victoria Rocha and Katie Allen.
Having a Heart for Student Athletes
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North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Energy is partnering with rural hospitals and medics on a program that provides free cardiac screenings for student athletes in middle schools and high schools in its service area. Medical personnel at the “Heart of” programs provide EKGs and other baseline health information before students are cleared to play. The screenings, held each spring for about 1,700 students, are part of the regular physical exams clearing student athletes for participation and include consultations with medical staff. If follow-ups are needed, students are referred to specialists.
“It takes a full team approach to make the 'Heart of' events a success,” said Tasha Rountree, director of community relations and economic development at the Lenoir-based co-op.
Storytime for Florida Legislators
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Florida Electric Cooperatives Association used the power of reading to raise the profile of the co-ops among state legislators during the annual Children’s Week at the Florida state capitol in Tallahassee. At Storybook Village, an interactive literacy event for the public and lawmakers, the co-op set up an electricity-themed booth and distributed free copies of "Cat & Duck and the Electric Cooperative"—written and illustrated by Patrick Wood of Co-Mo Connect in Missouri—with logos from all the state’s co-ops stamped on the back cover. Co-op employees gave away about 620 books, along with teacher planning packets, hard hats for kids and other swag.
“We had been working on new ways to engage with our elected officials and re-educate them on who co-ops are,” said Alisia Hounshell, the statewide’s director of communications and statewide services. “We figured this would be a great opportunity; it was amazing.”
How Do You Spell Paratactic?
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"Paratactic" was the winning word spelled by Fort Smith, Arkansas, middle schooler Karthik Dalai to claim victory in the recent state spelling bee sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. The event, which Arkansas co-ops have sponsored since 2019, took place at the Arkansas 4-H Vines Center in Little Rock. More than 85,000 students from 430 schools in 58 counties participated in local and county contests leading up to the state contest, where 55 competed this year.
Dalai, 11, will compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.
Community Cupboards in Alabama
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To celebrate its 90th anniversary, Cullman Electric Cooperative created two Community Cupboards to support members and strengthen the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. Based on the Little Free Pantry concept of “take what you need, give if you can,” the cupboards provide immediate access to food and essential household items for those facing food insecurity. The cupboards are at the co-op’s offices in Addison and Cullman.
“For 90 years, we’ve worked to improve quality of life for the communities we serve,” said Lindsey Dossey, manager of communications. “We know many of our members are feeling the impact of rising costs. The Community Cupboard is one more way we can act with compassion and purpose, and we’re proud to see it used and supported by the members we serve.”
A $10 Million Milestone in North Carolina
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EnergyUnited’s charitable arm recently reached $10 million in total charitable giving. Funded by Operation Roundup donations, the EnergyUnited Foundation has funded housing assistance, utility support, critical home repairs and other local needs. The Statesville-based co-op created the foundation in 1996. Last year, it distributed $717,200, of which nearly two-thirds went directly to individuals and families.
“Reaching $10 million in giving reflects the collective generosity of our members,” said LaQuisha Parks, the co-op’s vice president of energy services and corporate communications. “Small monthly contributions grow into real help for families and organizations when they need it most. Over time, those small gifts have created a powerful and lasting impact in our communities.”
Sharing Success in Central Florida
SECO Energy and CoBank have awarded $30,000 to four nonprofit organizations serving central Florida. Each recipient received $7,500 to expand critical services addressing hunger, domestic violence, student support and disaster recovery. They are Wildwood Soup Kitchen in Sumter County; Citrus Abuse Shelter Association in Citrus County; The Rock Program, which helps students in Marion County; and Lake Support and Emergency Recovery in Lake County. Sharing Success is a matching funds partnership between CoBank and electric co-ops.
“These organizations are on the front lines of serving our rural communities,” said Curtis Wynn, CEO of Sumterville-based SECO Energy. “Through our partnership with CoBank, we are proud to support programs that improve lives and strengthen communities every day.”
Community Connections in Ohio
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Through its Community Connections Fund, Midwest Electric recently donated $14,050 in Operation Roundup money to 14 west-central Ohio charities and community projects. Since 1998, the fund has donated over $1.4 million to more than 1,300 local charitable causes.
This funding cycle, donations included $1,000 to the Marion Township Police Dept. for a radar speed sign; $800 to Celina Cares animal shelter to spay and neuter homeless cats; and $750 to the St. Marys 3-Point Club for the Little Riders Youth Basketball program.
Georgia Co-op EmPOWERs Schools
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For 10 years, Walton EMC has awarded EmPOWERment grants for educational programs to K-12 schools and teachers in its service area. This year, the Monroe-based co-op awarded $300,000 to 49 schools. Since 2016, the co-op has awarded $3.3 million in grants, which are funded by unclaimed capital credit refunds. The 57 projects funded this year include inclusive play areas, iPads for robotics classes, a pollinator garden and more books for classrooms.
Some 25,000 students will benefit from the program, the co-op said. “We’re proud to continue supporting local education in our communities, knowing that these investments help shape the next generation of learners and leaders,” said co-op CEO Ron Marshall.
In Virginia, Trucks, Chili and Drones
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Drumheller’s Orchard in Lovingston, Virginia, was the place to be earlier this month when Central Virginia Electric Cooperative joined the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office first annual NCSO Chili Cook-Off & Touch-A-Truck event. Families saw a digger derrick up close and learned from the co-op’s Tim Willoughby how its auger drills holes in the ground to set power poles. CVEC’s Jay Palmer and Ginny Tyree demonstrated how a drone inspects power lines and equipment from above. The event also raised about $3,400 for the local Special Olympics chapter.
“It was a fun-filled day celebrating community pride, learning and a little friendly competition,” said Tiffany Gordon, communications coordinator and community liaison at the Lovingston-based co-op.
A Proud Purple Heart Electric Cooperative
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The Military Order of the Purple Heart has designated Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative as a Purple Heart Electric Cooperative for its longtime commitment to veterans. The Dade City, Florida, co-op received the honor during the 20th annual Purple Heart ceremony in Citrus County, where hundreds of veterans, Gold Star families and other supporters gathered. WREC is the first electric co-op to get the national designation, according to Manager of Member Relations Gary Steele. WREC has collaborated over the years with several local veteran service groups, housing initiatives and remembrance programs.
“This designation represents our promise to the men and women who have sacrificed for our freedoms,” Steele said.
Check out previous editions of Bright Spots below:
