Two Tons of Generosity

Pennsylvania’s Adams Electric Cooperative celebrated its 85th anniversary with a day of giving at special drive-thru events at its headquarters in Gettysburg and district offices in Shippensburg and York. The three offices served as drop-off points for food donations from members to New Hope Ministries, a service organization in Adams EC’s service area. Volunteers spent much of the day loading two tons of cans, bags and boxes on New Hope trailers.

“New Hope has been a great community partner to the co-op in helping to manage our Hardship Fund for our members,” said CEO/General Manager Steve Rasmussen. “Our 85th anniversary event was the perfect opportunity to give back to them and those in need in our community.”

Vermont Community Fund Rounds Up for Good

Since 2015, Vermont Electric Cooperative’s Community Fund has awarded some $170,000 from round ups on members’ bills to help hundreds of nonprofits improve the quality of life in their communities. The latest group of recipients are no exception. Wood4Good received $1,000 toward the purchase of a new delivery truck to deliver firewood to families in need. The organizers of a popular outdoor concert series, Tuesday Night Live, got $500 to provide accessible, family-friendly entertainment. Another $1,000 went to the Waterville Elementary School to replace and improve equipment on a small, aging playground. The upgrade will ensure “everything is safe and inviting for our students and the community to use,” said Jan Epstein, the school’s principal.

Boots on the Ground in Colorado

Leaders at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Poudre Valley REA rolled up their sleeves for a day of community service in northern Colorado. Partnering with Combat Recovery Foundation, a veteran-focused nonprofit, and the Heart-J Center for Experiential Learning at Sylvan Dale Ranch, the volunteers cleared land for an educational center to replace one destroyed during a 2024 wildfire. The groups will use the new building as a schoolhouse for public outreach programs, including suicide prevention for veterans.

“Partnering with Tri-State and these local nonprofits lets us live out our cooperative values while strengthening the communities we serve and the causes that matter most,” said Amy Rosier, vice president of government and member relations at PVREA, based in Fort Collins. 

A Meaty Contribution for Montana Food Banks

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s annual Ribeye Raffle is coming off its 10th successful year with impressive numbers. The signature fundraiser at the Northwest Montana State Fair in Kalispell has donated 10,000 pounds (five tons) of meat and more than $100,000 in cash donations to seven local food banks. Several years ago, proceeds beefed up when organizers decided to raffle prime cuts and donate cash to food banks instead of donating ground meat to charity. Online Ribeye Raffle tickets bumped up sales by 900%, from $2,000 a year to more than $21,000 at this year’s fair.

“To be celebrating 10 years, 10,000 pounds of meat and over $100,000 in cash donated to our community’s food banks is incredible and a testament to the huge hearts of our members,” said Katie Pfennigs, community relations manager at the Kalispell-based co-op.

Helping Kids Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Employees at Sam Houston Electric Cooperative donned work gloves and picked up drills, saws and hammers to assemble beds during the 7th annual Bunks Across America to benefit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit that provides beds for children in need. The beds can be standalones or stacked to make bunk beds.

“It was exciting and rewarding for my kids and I to take part in the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program,” said Teashone Bertrand, member service representative at the Livingston-based co-op. “I felt proud sharing this experience between my family and coworkers because volunteering is important for our mental well-being and personal growth. It was a good way for me to set the example for my children, too.”

Family Movie and Pizza Night With a Side of Literacy

York Electric Cooperative celebrated the beginning of a new school year with a free family movie and pizza night at a park in Hickory Grove, South Carolina. The York-based co-op teamed with a local school district, its broadband partner Comporium Communications and an early childhood nonprofit. When families weren’t watching “Chicken Little,” they boarded the school district’s early childhood literacy bus or toured the co-op’s new Born Learning Trail, an interactive experience financed by Operation Roundup funds that encourages family playtime.

Back to School With Withlacoochee River EC

During this back-to-school season, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative’s five district offices and Dade City, Florida, headquarters served as drop-off points for school supplies donated to six local schools.

“Our youth are the foundation of the future and investing in their education is one of the most meaningful ways we can support our communities,” said WREC General Manager David Lambert. “This supply is more than just giving—it’s about showing our kids that we care, that they matter, and their success is important to all of us.”

Wildlife Honors for Wyoming Co-op

Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department has honored Powder River Energy Corp. with the Industry Wildlife Stewardship Award for going above standard regulatory requirements to help conserve habitat and wildlife. The Sundance-based co-op has implemented two wildlife protection plans, is an active member of the Northeast Wyoming Sage-Grouse Local Working Group and previously participated in the Governor’s Sage-Grouse Implementation Team.