Manager's Message
POINT OF VIEW: Why Giving Back Matters
From the desk of CEO & General Manager, Eddie Oldham
"For us, giving back isn't optional; it's essential. It is how we live out our mission and reflect the values that bind us together as a cooperative."
As we welcome a new year, we’re excited to introduce a new feature in our monthly newsletter: “Your Questions Answered.” Each month, we’ll tackle one of the most frequently asked questions from you, our members, offering insight into what makes your cooperative unique and how we serve you beyond keeping the lights on.
This month’s question: Why is it so important for the co-op to give back to the community?
The answer begins with one of our seven cooperative principles—Concern for Community. This guiding value is more than a slogan; it’s part of our DNA. Unlike other types of utilities or businesses, cooperatives exist to serve their members and strengthen the communities they call home.
You’ve likely seen this principle in action through programs like Operation Round Up®, which helps our most vulnerable neighbors, and Youth Tour, where we invest in the next generation of leaders by sending local students to Washington, D.C. These initiatives reflect our belief that the co-op isn’t just a utility—it’s a reflection of the community it serves.
But our commitment goes even further. Each year, our Service Project Committee, made up of employees from every department, research and recommend projects we can undertake to make a difference in the communities we serve. Members of the committee, along with other employee volunteers, are thrilled to have the opportunity to work together on projects that make a tangible difference.
In 2025, we worked with The Chatham Education Foundation to sponsor the “Books on Break” book fair at Moncure School in the spring; in the fall, we partnered with The Breadbasket of Sanford, a local nonprofit dedicated to feeding those in need. You can read more about the Breadbasket project in this month's news stories.
For us, giving back isn’t optional; it’s essential. It is how we live out our mission and reflect the values that bind us together as a cooperative. While providing reliable electricity is our core service, building a stronger, more caring community is our true passion.
We encourage you to join us in these efforts. Whether through volunteering, supporting local nonprofits, or simply spreading kindness, every action matters.
Stay tuned for next month’s question in our “Your Questions Answered” series as we continue to share what makes your cooperative different.
Until next time,
