Care for Community Intiative
As a rural electric cooperative, it's in our DNA to take care of our neighbors. Our new Care for Community Initiative will bring employee groups together and support volunteer work in our communities.
'Tis the season for holiday celebrations and we want to add some sparkle to the season. We are excited to be hosting a drive-through turkey giveaway event paired with our annual toy collection for Toys for Tots.
Our Care for Community Initiative Team was established in 2023 as an employee-driven effort focused on helping our members along with non-profit organizations serving our members. Earlier this year we were recognized with a $5,000 grant award from our meter vendor, Tantalus, which has helped fund this initiative.
IMPORTANT: There are limited turkeys available; they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one turkey per membership. Please have your account number available to claim your turkey. You can find your account number on your monthly billing statement.
Saturday, December 14
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bennet's Food Center
215 1st Street SW, Plainview
Fareway Meat & Grocery
2012 2nd Avenue NE, Stewartville
Care for Community Initiatives
Dairyland Power Cooperative Day of Service
On October 2, our Care for Community Initiative joined forces with Dairyland Power Cooperative and MiEnergy Cooperative to spend the day volunteering at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo just outside of Byron, Minnesota.
Dairyland Power Cooperative launched ‘Day of Service’ last year to recognize National Co-op Month and their commitment to the cooperative principles of Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Concern for Community. Each year, they’ve coordinated six service projects located throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois to give back to the communities they serve. This year, People’s Energy Cooperative hosted the work site in Minnesota.
Over 35 volunteers from three cooperatives descended on Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo to provide help with several projects. The crews painted animal enclosures; placed mulch into several animal exhibits to prepare for winter; cut, split, and stacked wood; removed several trees near exhibits; and cut, removed, and cleaned up plants and shrubs near exhibits.
“Oxbow Park would not be the gem it is without groups like yours, as well as all the volunteers that we are blessed with throughout the year!” shared Lonnie Hebl, Oxbow Park manager. “Volunteer hours that are contributed to Olmsted County parks throughout the year equate to seven full-time employees. It is a real game changer for us; we welcome all who want to come and help us make your parks a better place to visit.”
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo serve as important resources for the region. We were proud to make such a positive impact on both our people and animal neighbors!
In early 2024, we were proud to collect over 100 items for local food shelves through our campaign 'Stock the Shelves'.
2023 Employee Campaigns by the Numbers
74 items collected for Paws and Claws Humane Society
$520 donated to Paws and Claws Humane Society
$1,820 pledged in support of United Way of Olmsted County
50+ toys collected for Toys for Tots
Our first employee volunteer event brought us to H.O.P.E. Ranch located west of Chatfield. H.O.P.E. Ranch is a mental health organization which utilizes horses and the outdoors to help people through their mental health journey. They have a small group of volunteers that help manage the property. Although there was much work that could be done, our employees were able to plant twelve small tress, removed an old perimeter fence, spread mulch, and removed low-hanging vines and branches from a walking path.