Over the years, you’ve probably heard or read about Pee Dee Electric’s concern for our community. This is one of the core principles that sets cooperatives apart from other types of utilities and businesses. We’ve always taken this mission and responsibility to heart. It’s who we are as a co-op.

Over the past few months, like so many of you, we’ve risen to meet new challenges and strengthen the safety net for our community, particularly for those who are most vulnerable. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve made numerous adjustments to programs and operations to maintain business continuity while staying focused on the bigger mission of helping our consumer-members during this turbulent time.

Now, with the holidays fast approaching, these recent events have made me pause and think about the role we play in our community. While our purpose is to provide safe and reliable energy to you, the members we serve, we have a greater mission — to be a catalyst for good.

You’re probably aware of our Care to Share program, where members like you have “rounded up” the amount due on their electric bill to help local nonprofit organizations throughout our service area. We’re also committed to educating our youth with programs like the Youth Tour program, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action.

We also have a strong commitment to safety — not just for our employees, but for our community as well. We visit schools to teach children of all ages how to stay safe around electricity. We hold safety demonstrations at community meetings and other gatherings.

Due to COVID-19, we are in the process of producing several videos on solar power and electrical safety for our educators to use in their classrooms.

You’ll also see our employees serving on local boards, coaching youth sports, and volunteering at charitable events throughout our service area. Because when you work at a co-op, you understand how important a strong community is — after all, without you, the co-op wouldn’t exist.

"We know that our core job is to keep the lights on, but our passion is our community."

We know that our core job is to keep the lights on; but our passion is our community. Because we live and work here also, and we want to make it a better place for all.

As we approach this holiday season, we remember that concern for community is the heart and soul of who we are. That is the same principle that the co-op was founded on 80 years ago, and no matter what the future brings, you can count on Pee Dee Electric to care about you.