CEO’s Message: Giving Back to Our Community

February 2021

By Michael S. McWaters, Executive V.P./CEO

As Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) members, we receive more than quality service. While providing safe, affordable, and reliable electricity will always be the first priority, our sense of responsibility to the people we serve goes much further.

At SVEC, we are committed to making our community a better place to live, in part because it is our home, too. That extends not only to the service we provide but also to finding new ways to give back to the community that created this cooperative.

One of the most important ways we do that is by supporting our local students. By helping them make the most of their education now, SVEC is investing in future business owners, future community leaders, and even future leaders of this cooperative.

In just its second full year, Operation Round Up has already become a key part of our support for students. While each individual member’s monthly donation averaged just 50 cents in 2020, we were able to raise more than $100,000 that went toward more than 180 grants for important classroom materials like books, lab equipment, and more.

Meanwhile, we have continued to give students unique opportunities to learn about our governing process and the role of cooperatives as part of the Youth Tour, as well as awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to open new doors for deserving students. You can learn more about these programs and even more ways we support students in this newsletter.

You can also learn about some of the local events — from golf tournaments to lawnmower races — SVEC is sponsoring and participating in during the coming month. I hope each of you will take a look and consider joining us for these fun-filled events. Together, we can support the good work organizations like the Rotary Club of Branford and The Arc of North Florida do for our community. And if you see us out and about, I hope you’ll take a moment to say hello.

You’ll also find a new section in this month’s newsletter where we will highlight some favorite posts from SVEC’s social media channels. This month features our traveling Drive Safe trailer, a warning about scams, and a blast from the past on Throwback Thursday.

If you want to be the first to get updates on SVEC around the community, or fun photos of past and present employees, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As always, we are proud to serve you and the amazing students who are part of our Suwannee Valley community.