Coast Electric and other Mississippi electric cooperatives participated in efforts to support the communities they serve on the 2021 MLK Day of Service.
Although COVID turned plans for the Day of Service into an employee-only effort for Coast Electric this year, co-op employees are collecting diapers for the United Way of South Mississippi’s annual diaper drive through the end of the month.
Coast Electric Vice President of Public Relations and Member Services Melissa Russo, who is also the United Way of South Mississippi Board President, said we can’t overlook basic needs for those in our communities, especially in these tough financial times for many in our community. “Diapers are a necessity for parents but aren’t a small expense,” Russo said. “I will be happy if our efforts can take some of the financial burden away from parents who are already facing increased costs when they welcome a new baby into their home. Coast Electric employees are always willing to pitch in and give generously to our friends and neighbors in need.”
Other electric cooperatives worked in their communities as well. Cooperative Energy, Coast Electric’s generation and transmission provider based in Hattiesburg, had employees volunteering at Christian Services, Inc., Habitat for Humanity, Edwards Street Food Pantry and Extra Table. Cooperative Energy employees at the Batesville Generating Station hosted a food drive for The Grace Place, Inc.
Employees of Dixie Electric in Laurel expanded their Foster Children Backpack project to four locations. Employees collected and packed items for backpacks in Jones, Forrest, Wayne and Perry counties.
Singing River Electric employees volunteered with Love Thy Neighbor Food Kitchen by building pantry shelves and assisting with cleanup; with Chickasawhay River Boat Landing by performing landscape work; and with the Boys & Girls Club in Gautier.
Southern Pine Electric employees volunteered with Sustaining Grace Recovery Ministry, worked in conjunction with the City of Brandon to clean a two-mile section of highway; and worked in conjunction with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department to clean an additional two-mile section of highway.
“Giving back to the communities where our member-consumers live is a staple of cooperative businesses,” said Cooperative Energy Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Christa Bishop. “Cooperative Energy and our Member systems are spread across Mississippi, so by joining together for the Cooperative Day of Service, we are able to give back to communities across the state.”