As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded how many things there are to be thankful for. Personally, I am thankful for my family, good health and many other blessings that are too numerous to count. I am also thankful for many things specific to my role as CEO, most importantly, for the people who make our co-op what it is: our members, Board of Trustees, employees and retirees.
I’ve spent most of my adult life with cooperatives, and one thing I have always appreciated is their deep roots within their communities. Now in my 13th year with CHELCO, I have seen many changes as the electric utility industry and society continually evolve. However, one thing that hasn’t changed – not in my time at CHELCO, nor in the 85 years of its existence – is our co-op’s strong support for our community, and a stroll through our offices offers living proof. You may see a plaque that reads “Relay for Life: Top Fundraiser” from years past. You may see a picture of a CHELCO volunteer team proudly displayed in an employee’s office. You may even see a trophy case full of wins for good causes. Today, our team continues to live up to the standards established by those who came before us.
Aligning Values
Cooperative values guide our decisions every day, and I’m thankful that we have a team whose personal values closely align with those of our cooperative. From serving as Little League coaches in their personal time to participating in volunteer events with CHELCO, many of our folks spend countless hours of their lives making our communities a better place.
Recent Community Involvement
Just last month, our team had a hand in several community-facing events. On Oct. 3, a team of CHELCO ladies took advantage of our volunteer time off program to participate in the Habitat for Humanity of Walton County Women’s Build event, where the team tackled various construction projects for the newest home in the Habitat Village in DeFuniak Springs. Kudos, ladies!
That same day, we were happy to have several CHELCO departments represented at Bluewater Elementary’s Career Day, where employees shared various career opportunities available at our co-op, answered students’ questions and even gave a bucket truck demo.
In late September, CHELCO was proud to sponsor the Home Runs for Heroes softball tournament hosted by our generation and transmission cooperative, PowerSouth. The event raised $71,450 to support fallen and injured linemen and their families, another example of cooperative values in action. I’m proud to share that our team, Shock ‘N Awe, took home the trophy for winning the Silver Bracket.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
As we reflect on our many blessings during the Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve with an organization made up of individuals who are dedicated to their families, to their communities, and to you, our members.
I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends this Thanksgiving season.
