Matthew C. Deaton

Orange County REMC is proud to be a part of the community beyond the direct role we play in supplying our members with electricity. This summer was like many previous summers with the 4-H fairs in full swing in July. Orange County REMC participated in the Orange County fair, as well as the Washington and Lawrence County 4-H fairs. With many of our members actively involved in 4-H, and considering how the 4-H mission and the REMC mission complement each other so well, these events make for some rewarding times for our youth.

Orange County REMC intern Hannah Carter delivers meat from the 4-H steer Orange County REMC purchased and donated to the Mercy Center in Paoli.

This year, Orange County REMC purchased a 4-H steer and partnered with Orange County Processing to have it butchered and donated to the Mercy Center in Paoli. Chris Burger, owner of Orange County Processing, was great to work with. When we arrived at the Mercy Center, Jim White and his crew were so very gracious and thankful for the donation.

Finding ways to network with local organizations to benefit our community in this way is just one example of how we fulfill the seventh cooperative principle — concern for community. While all seven principles guide the way we do business, concern for community is one we strive to live up to each day. Knowing that the Mercy Center provides more than 120 meals every day to people in need throughout Orange County really brings into perspective the impact we all can have throughout our community if we work together. To learn more about the Mercy Center’s work and mission visit its website www.gatewayministriespaoli.org/mercy-center.

The board of directors and I are honored to represent you and the cooperative each day as we carry out our duties. We are proud of the work we do in our community, and we strive to be more than just your electricity provider. You can also learn more about the work we are doing in the community in the “Spare Change Changes Lives” article on the next page.

Matthew C. Deaton
General Manager/CEO