The holiday season is finally here. Some call it the most wonderful season of all. That’s because we associate it with family traditions and gathering with friends and loved ones. It’s a time of giving and spreading joy.

But giving back reminds me of the many good things we have right here in our community and why it’s so important to spread the good as far as we can, especially to the most vulnerable in our local area. I’m also reminded of how wonderful our community is and what a big impact we can have when we work together.

When you are a member of Orange County REMC, you help us spread the good throughout the year. Through our Operation Round Up program, your donations help local families and individuals by funding community groups and organizations who are the “boots on the ground,” meeting needs in a multitude of ways.

When you participate in Operation Round Up and allow us to “round up” your monthly bill from Orange County REMC to the next dollar, that spare change can make a big difference in someone’s life. You are helping to meet an immediate, critical need, but just as importantly, you are telling this person the community cares. 

Orange County REMC also participates in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors.

You’ve likely heard me say that the cooperative principle “concern for community” is part of Orange County REMC’s DNA. It defines who we are as an organization. When we first brought electricity to this community 85 years ago, the quality of life improved. But other things also need to be addressed, and through the years, this co-op has been at the forefront of bringing improvements to the quality of life in this community. It’s why we created Operation Round Up.

To date, with your help, we’ve given $561,808 back to local groups and organizations through this program. And across the country, more than 350 electric co-ops have an Operation Round Up program, and together, we’ve raised millions for local communities. This shows that small donations from electric co-ops like ours, over time, can collectively make a big impact.

We hope you will think of Orange County REMC as more than your energy provider, but also as a catalyst for good in our community.

I hope all our members have a joyous holiday season. May it be merry and bright!