Every year, on the second Friday of October, Indiana’s electric cooperatives come together for Community Day, a state-wide effort to give back to the communities they serve. This annual tradition brings cooperative employees out of their offices and into local organizations, helping to strengthen the fabric of the community. The event reflects one of the core values of electric cooperatives — Concern for Community, which is the Seventh Cooperative Principle. This principle reminds us that our cooperative’s role extends beyond providing essential services; it includes empowering and uplifting the communities we serve.
In 2024, Jackson County REMC focused on supporting Reins to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit organization that has been transforming lives through equine- assisted therapy since 2008. Reins to Recovery offers therapeutic services for individuals with disabilities, victims of violence or abuse, and at-risk youth By fostering a healing relationship between participants and horses, the program promotes physical, psychological, and social well-being in a unique and powerful way.
A MISSION OF HEALING
Reins to Recovery believes that the bond between humans and horses can promote healing and personal growth in ways that traditional therapies might not. Participants, guided by instructors and volunteers, work with horses to overcome physical and emotional challenges, build trust, and develop confidence. The organization’s programs serve people of all ages who are facing a wide range of struggles — from physical disabilities to the trauma of abuse.
JACKSON COUNTY REMC’S COMMUNITY DAY PROJECT
For Community Day 2024, Jackson County REMC employees dedicated their time and resources to Reins to Recovery. The project included deep cleaning the indoor arena and therapy props, ensuring that the environment was pristine and welcoming for participants. Additionally, the team constructed a shelving system to improve storage and organization, which will help the staff and volunteers better manage supplies.
In addition to their labor, Jackson County REMC employees donated essential cleaning supplies to help the facility maintain its high cleanliness and safety standards, ensuring a healthy environment for both clients and horses.
LIVING THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
By supporting Reins to Recovery, Jackson County REMC demonstrated its commitment to the Seventh Cooperative Principle — Concern for Community. This day of service goes beyond a simple act of charity. It is a demonstration of the cooperative’s commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of the people who depend on Reins to Recovery for healing, growth, and support.
Community Day is a powerful reminder that when local organizations and businesses join forces, they can create meaningful change that extends far beyond the scope of a single day. By partnering with Reins to Recovery, Jackson County REMC ensures that the organization can continue offering life-changing services to those in need, empowering individuals, and strengthening the community.
As Indiana’s electric cooperatives gather each year for Community Day, their collective efforts embody the true meaning of service, showcasing the lasting impact that can be made when we work together to better our communities.
