Co-op principle number seven: Commitment to Community. Oconto Electric Cooperative (OEC) employees really take this principle to heart. Since 2004, OEC employees have awarded $153,000 to charities and organizations.
OEC employees worked all year to raise $10,000. The grants were made possible in part through the proceeds made at the charity golf outing, the Bag Lunch To Go, and through the sale of candy bars. CoBank, one of the co-op’s lenders, also donated $10,000 as part of its Sharing Success Grant program.
“On September 28, we held our 16th Annual Bag Lunch To Go. This event continues to grow each year thanks to the support of the local businesses in the area. In two hours we made 501 pulled pork sandwiches and delivered them,” explained Katie Jagiello, co-op employee.
“The employees at OEC are grateful for the support that the community and OEC members give to the charity. A lot of work goes into fundraising, but it is all worth it when you see how grateful the charities are,” said Jagiello.
The following charities received $5,000:
- Abrams Fire Department — replacement of outdated personal protective equipment.
- Oconto Falls Area Cycling Coalition — expanding the trail system and adding a storage building to house equipment.
- Underhill Volunteer Fire Department — installation of foam system on a fire engine.
- Shawano Area Matthew 25, Inc. (SAM25)— new appliances and water softener system.
L to R: Stephanie Paitl, Abrams Fire Chief John Ferfecki, and Stachia Desterheft.
L to R: Byron Nolde, Robin Banaszynski, Amy Winkler, Brenda Fricton, Kriss Krause, and Underhill Fire Chief Mark Winkler.
L to R: Katie Jagiello and Devin Wirtz (OFACC member).
L to R: Brenda Fricton, SAM25 Executive Director Matt Kadlec, and Nicole Zaidl.
“If you’ve never heard of SAM25, please take the time to learn more about them. It was a real eye-opener for me after touring the facility and gaining an understanding of what they have available for those less fortunate right here in our back yard,” said Jagiello. To learn more about SAM25 or to see how you can make a difference in someone’s life, visit their website at www.SAM25.org.