Success Stories for Alabama

Operation Round up: Baldwin Electric Membership Corporation's (Baldwin EMC) (AL-020), Summerdale, Alabama, Operation Round Up program recently presented a grant to Eastern Shore Chamber Foundation. The organization underwent an application and approval process by the Foundation board to receive the grant and plans to use the funds to support the Eastern Shore Chamber Youth Leadership, a program of community awareness, leadership development, volunteer service and community projects for high school students. From left, front row, foundation chairman Patti Bodenhamer presents the grant to Carolyn Walthall of the Eastern Shore Chamber Foundation. Standing next to Carolyn Walthall is board member Kathy Holler, and in the back, from left, are foundation board members Steve Hester, Margaret Cooper, Beverley Allen, Terry Barnett, and Lester Peavy. Anyone wishing to learn more about Operation Round Up can call Baldwin EMC at 989-6247 or visit www.baldwinemc.com.

Baldwin EMC is a member-owned electric cooperative serving approximately 59,000 customers in Baldwin and Monroe Counties in southwest Alabama, including Alabama's Gulf Coast.

May 2006

CVEC Awards Scholarships to Area Students: Membership in an electric cooperative has many perks, especially if you're a senior in high school with college aspirations.

March 30, 2006, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative (CVEC) (AL-033), Talladega, Alabama, awarded six $1,000 scholarships to member students from area high schools.

Each year, the CVEC awards $1,000 scholarships to qualifying high school seniors in its service area. Students may use these scholarships at traditional four-year and two-year institutions as well as trade and technical schools.

"The scholarship program is one in which we are able to really reward students who show promise in academics and involvement in their communities," Kujawski said.

Students applying for these scholarships must do more than simply carry high marks. Their application must include involvement in school and community organizations, cumulative grade point average, three letters of recommendation, proof of residency on CVEC's system, school transcript and family financial information. During the initial screening and final selection processes these categories are all weighted and a cumulative score is derived.

While good grades are important, selection committee members also must award scores based on course load, the level of activities outside of required school functions and the family's true financial need.

"Because the funds for these scholarships are so limited, financial need carries a good deal of weight in the total scores for each student," Kujawski said. "We want to help students who are honestly working hard toward a bright future attain their goals."

May 2006

It's all about hope -- CEC continues to support the fight against cancer: Covington Electric Cooperative Inc. (CEC) (AL-044), Andalusia, Alabama, continues to help the American Cancer Society (ACS) fight cancer by supporting Relay For Life events.

If you haven't been diagnosed with cancer, you probably know someone who has. Almost everyone has been touched by this horrible disease and many are left with feelings of despair.

The ACS is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization that offers hope to the millions of people who are diagnosed with cancer each year. That's why CEC teamed up several years ago with the ACS to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The ACS raises money to fight cancer through research, advocacy, education and service. The ACS organizes its signature event, the Relay For Life, each year to raise funds to support its worthwhile cause.

The Relay For Life offers everyone in the community a chance to participate in the fight against cancer. Relays are overnight events filled with activities, food, entertainment and community spirit.

Because Relay For Life is a community gathering rather than an athletic event, anyone can participate. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Team members share a common purpose-to support the ACS's mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

According to the ACS Web site, the Relay For Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon and avid runner, took the first step of his 24-hour run around a track in Tacoma, Washington. He raised $27,000 to support the ACS.

The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined Dr. Klatt in this overnight event, and the Relay For Life was born. Now these events not only take place in communities all across America, but they are also held in more than 20 countries around the world.

It just goes to show you that one person really can make a difference. The Relay For Life is a worthwhile event and CEC is proud to serve as the Survivor Sponsor of the 2006 Relay For Life of Covington County. CEC will also serve as a sponsor of the Relay For Life events in Coffee and Crenshaw counties.

Once again, CEC employees have organized a team to participate in this year's Relay. The CEC team, "The CEC Relay Revelers," is raising money to help the ACS by selling chances on $100 cash and by making individual $2 donations to dress casual on Fridays. Team members also hosted a Relay For Life Golf Tournament on March 30, at Tartan Pines in Enterprise.

Relay For Life is more than a fund-raising event, it is a celebration of survival and a way to honor those who have lost their battle with cancer. CEC has been actively involved in local Relay events for many years and we look forward to supporting this cause for many years to come.

CEC's financial support and employee involvement in the Relay For Life is one of many ways that your electric cooperative demonstrates its long standing commitment to community.

April 2006

Baldwin's Contributes to the Community: Baldwin County Electric Membership Corporation (Baldwin EMC) (AL-020), Summerdale, Alabama, employees Audrey Robinson and Kathy McGrew prepare Easter baskets for delivery to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Youth Ranch. For the past month, employees have been collecting food and household items to donate to the ranch. In addition, the employees contributed money to purchase special treats and filled Easter baskets for the boys.

Baldwin EMC is a member-owned electric cooperative serving approximately 59,000 customers in Baldwin and Monroe Counties in southwest Alabama, including Alabama's Gulf Coast.

April 2006

Clarke-Washington EMC (CWEMC) (AL-009), Jackson, Alabama: Last year at CWEMC's Annual Meeting they were bracing for Hurricane Ivan. This year they are just recovering from Hurricane Katrina. September 14 was the anniversary of Ivan. In less than a year now they have experienced the wrath of three major Hurricanes, all category threes or above. CWEMC has also had two tropical storms pass through the electric system of CWEMC: Arlene and Cindy. This must be some kind of record, five named storms in less than one year.

Stan Wilson, General Manager/CEO of CWEMC wants to thank all of those who helped in any way! We could not have made it without a lot of assistance. I also want to say I'm sorry for the inconvenience these storms caused so many.

We live in a great place. This is a great place because of the good people who live here. I heard this time and again from many of the workers who came in to help us. I know this to be true.

Thank you!

October 2005

Baldwin County EMC (AL-020), Summerdale, Alabama:

Saluting our CSR's

The day after Hurricane Ivan, Sept. 17, 2004, the call center took 1,843 calls with 93 percent answered before 20 seconds. On Aug. 30, the day after Hurricane Katrina, the call center took 3,313 calls with 92 percent answered before 20 seconds.

A Word from the General Manager

"We have proven time and time again that we do know how to respond to a disaster. I'm in contact with our board members and they continuously express their appreciation for the wonderful employees we have and all of the efforts put into power restoration."

~ Bucky Jakins

Kudos

Frank Stabler e-mailed to say, "Thank you so much for your fast response to the power outages during and after Hurricane Katrina. I saw my first EMC truck while the storm was still going full throttle and my power was out less than 24 hours. The dedication of your employees is wonderful. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication.

James Carver of Bon Secour called and said "Thanks for restoring power so quickly!"

Paul Bergman of Fairhope said "Thank you for restoring power!"

Cindy Bailey of Bay Minette told Kathy McGrew that everyone has done a great job and also sends her thanks.

Ronald Catone of Robertsdale left this message: "I have a lot of praise for all your people. They were very, very expedient in returning my electricity, and I deeply appreciate it. Being in law enforcement we do not get many accolades such as that, so I wanted to thank you very much.Yall be careful."

Robert Hirs of Point Clear called to say "Thanks" for restoring power.

Joyce Wilson of County Road 49 in Loxley said she is very grateful and wants to thank the crews.

Lloyd Pumphrey also called to say "Thanks."

Gilbert Garcia of Robertsdale called and thanked everyone for their hard work.

Ronald Frederick of Orange Beach also called and said "Thanks."

Kathy McGrew had a customer who said Baldwin EMC is doing a wonderful job and thought we needed to know that!

Sonya Dunn has received several calls expressing thanks and appreciation to all employees at BEMC as well as the contract crews who have come to our aid.

Doreen Bay received a call from a customer who didn't have power, but wanted to let everyone know they are doing a great job.

September 2005

After Covington Electric Cooperative, (CEC), (AL-044), Andalusia, Alabama, line crews helped two electric cooperatives in Alabama restore power in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, additional crews headed to Louisiana to assist Washington St. Tammany Electric Cooperative, (WST), (LA-010), Franklinton, Louisiana. The entire service area of WST was utterly devastated when Hurricane Katrina made landfall August 29, 2005, on the Louisiana Mississippi coastal border.

Electric transmission and distribution lines, along with substations were obliterated by Katrina's fury. The massive power restoration efforts were complicated by limited communications, tons of debris, and inadequate fuel supplies. WST serves approximately 41,000 meters in the areas of WST and Tangipahoa Parishes and the southern part of Marion County in Mississippi.

CEC was ready to answer WST's call for help not only because it's part of the co-op business philosophy, but also because they helped CEC during the recovery following Hurricane Opal in 1995.

WST supported Covington Electric when Hurricane Opal left our entire system without power and now we are trying to return the favor," said Ed Short, CEC general manager.

"With the help of WST and other Louisiana and Mississippi crews, CEC was able to restore power to all members that could take power in less than one week after Opal. WST had to spend months restoring their system and CEC did the co-op thing by helping them," added Short.

The first CEC crew sent to help WST included Jeffery Martin, Jeffery Odom, John Eiland, Harry Smith, John Johnson, Melvin Jeffcoat, Randall Helms, Bob Newsome, Alan Thrash, Steven Walker and Bill Baggett.

Another crew from CEC relieved the first crew in Louisiana on Sept. 12. Those crew members included Mike Kyser, Glen Cottle, Ronnie Dixon, Roy Ben Dorsey, David Short, Kevin Anderson, Clint Veasey, Stan Spivey, Jack Kervin and Harold Mitchell.

September 2005

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