CEO’s Message: Powering Change
Being a member of an electric cooperative has always meant something bigger than just being able to flip on a light switch and trust that the power will be there. It’s true that delivering safe, affordable, and reliable electricity has always been the core of what we do. It’s the very reason this community created SVEC decades ago.
But what sets a cooperative apart from other power providers is the relationship we share with the people we serve. Our consumer-members aren’t just customers for us. You’re owners of this system, and that ownership comes with tangible benefits — like having a voice in how the co-op is governed through elected trustees and annual meetings, or the work and local contributions SVEC does to strengthen the community we call home.
One meaningful way we put that commitment into practice is through Operation Round Up®, a program of our Suwannee Valley Foundation. What started as a simple idea has already had a powerful impact in just a few years. By allowing consumer-members to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar and pooling that spare change, we have been able to fund grants that have been transformative for local classrooms.
Individually, the average monthly contribution to that fund is about 50 cents. But collectively, it becomes an investment that can truly make a difference. Since its launch in 2019, our consumer-members have contributed more than $765,000 to Operation Round Up®. That money has translated into thousands of grants that support hands-on learning across our service area.
Some teachers have used them to buy books that capture students’ imaginations and spark a love for reading. Others have purchased lab equipment that can bring science lessons to life or materials that make their classroom a more welcoming and effective place to learn.
In this issue, you can read about a recent example at Suwannee High School, where a team of teachers put their grant toward establishing the allied health program. The program helps educate students on common health practices and skills, introduces them to career opportunities in the medical field and even prepares them for the certified nursing assistant exam at the end of their senior year.
I’m continually impressed by the generosity and community spirit of our consumer-members. This is just one example of the many grants that have helped open doors for students throughout our region. And it is another reminder that when we come together as a cooperative, we’re not only powering homes and businesses but helping shape the next generation of leaders in our community.
I can’t wait to see what more this program can do for our community in the coming years. As always, we will continue to work hard each day to bring you the affordable and reliable power you expect from your cooperative.
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