Electric Co-op Employees distribute $17,000
Oconto Falls, WI; October 4, 2019 –October is National Cooperative Month, what a great time for Oconto Electric Cooperative (OEC) employees to demonstrate Co-op principle number seven: commitment to community.
OEC employees worked all year to raise $9,500. CoBank, one of the co-op’s lenders, also donated $7,500 as part of its Sharing Success Matching Grant program.
Employees were able to present $8,500 to Oconto Falls Law Enforcement. They recently obtained an armored vehicle through the US Military at no cost. The armored vehicle is being funded strictly through fundraising and grants, at no cost to the local tax payers. The plan is that all local departments can utilize the armored vehicle as a rescue vehicle in the event that there is a victim or downed officer. At this time, there is no such vehicle in Oconto County. If there is a situation, they currently depend on Marinette or Brown County for assistance.
Oconto County Commission on Aging, Inc. also received $8,500. They have been operating their Oconto County Elderly Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels) since 1980. Good nutrition is critical to good health. Poor nutrition is the greatest threat to an older adult’s independence. This program is funded by state and federal grants and contributions from participants. The funds they were given are going towards a new delivery van.
Since 2004, OEC employees have awarded $113,000 to charities and organizations.
