Valley Electric & CoBank Sharing Successes
Valley Electric is a leader in community commitment and is making a significant impact through its recent involvement in CoBank's Sharing Success program by matching donations for 3 remarkable organizations: Pahrump Holiday Task Force, Advocates for Children of Rural Nevada, and VETrans.
A true community beacon, The Pahrump Holiday Task Force is dedicated to fostering togetherness by organizing an array of no-cost events throughout the year. From Easter in the Park and the patriotic 4th of July celebration to Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners, this extraordinary organization ensures every community member experiences something remarkable during the festive seasons. Their unwavering commitment extends even further during Christmas when they go above and beyond to provide warmth to those in need through a coat room filled with free coats, gloves, hats, and blankets. Their dedication to the community is why they were nominated for the Sharing Successes grant and were awarded $10,000 to assist in furthering their worthy cause.
“We were totally surprised and very grateful to be the recipient of this awesome award,” says Linda Wright, President of the Pahrump Holiday Task Force. “We have tried to do our best for the Pahrump Community. It is heartfelt to know that what we do by bringing the Pahrump Community together throughout the year is accepted by everyone. This donation will help us keep doing events for some time without struggling. Thank you, Valley Electric and CoBank, for all your support!”
Making a profound impact in Nye and Esmeralda Counties is Advocates for Children of Rural Nevada (ACORN), a nonprofit organization wholeheartedly dedicated to providing training and support for volunteer court-appointed guardians ad litem. By tirelessly advocating for neglected or abused children in the foster care system, ACORN gives these vulnerable young children a voice within the court system, ensuring their safety and granting them the opportunity to find a permanent home where they can thrive.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by your community peers concerning the work we do. Of course, everyone at ACORN deserves recognition for the time they invest in the foster kids in our community: Board Members, Advocates, and our staff. Without volunteers, our ACORN could not do the vital work we do,” says Kathie McKenna, Executive Director of ACORN. “Over the last few years, federal grants have declined; in some instances, we have seen funding decline over 40%. We try hard with our fundraising efforts and several dedicated donors to be as self-sufficient as possible and not have to rely heavily on grants. It is generous donations like this that take the weight off my shoulders in funding the organization.”
Helping to bridge the geographical barriers that separate local veterans from the essential medical care they require is VETrans, a lifeline providing transportation services for medical appointments and pharmacy needs. The crucial need for reliable transportation is growing exponentially in a community where specialty care doctors may be located over 75 miles away in Las Vegas. To honor their unwavering commitment to our veterans, VETrans strives to expand their transportation services to Monday through Friday while also introducing additional time slots to serve an even greater number of veterans.
“We deeply appreciate the donation made by Valley Electric and their partner,” says Eric Whalen with VETrans, “this award will help with fuel costs, insurance, and the many other components that, together, allow us to perform this service for our local veterans.”
Valley Electric’s involvement in CoBank’s Sharing Successes program exemplifies the cooperative’s guiding light of the 7th Cooperative Principle, Concern for Community. By supporting these 3 exceptional organizations, Valley significantly impacts the lives of countless individuals and families in the Pahrump community, inspires others, and is a testament to the power of community cooperation.
“Valley Electric’s commitment to the community is unwavering,” says Amy Carlson, Director of Corporate Affairs and Community Relations. “Through our involvement in CoBank’s Sharing Success program, we are proud to support these outstanding organizations that are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Their dedication to serving the community is an inspiration to us all. We are proud to be a part of this community and are committed to supporting the organizations that make it so special. We owe a special thank you to CoBank for their dedication to rural America and their support for helping us to recognize the efforts of Valley’s members.”