Dear Members,

The month of December is traditionally considered a month of giving. We show our love and appreciation to our family and friends by presenting them with gifts in remembrance of the greatest gift ever given when Jesus Christ left heaven’s glory, wrapped Himself in human flesh, and was born into the world.

As I have gotten older, I have realized that Jesus’ words as recorded by the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:35 ring true, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

This month I want to encourage you to participate in a very worthwhile program established by your cooperative to help fellow members in need. It is called People Helping People (PHP).

This not-for-profit organization oversees the funds that are collected from Randolph EMC members who choose to have their electric bills rounded up to the nearest dollar each month. PHP is a tax-deductible, approved 501(c)(3) organization that is governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent communities throughout Randolph EMC’s service area. This is a very dedicated and capable group. I would like to specifically thank Phillip McNeill, Uretha Smith and Debra Vernon, who recently rotated off the PHP board, for all their hard work and for the care and concern for fellow members they have shown. We also welcome Jared Byrd, Dr. Amy Williams and James Upton, III. They will join Doris Brady, Pauline Brower, Christina Haynes and Gary Loy to administer the funds for this worthy program. We really appreciate their leadership and commend them for their willingness to serve the membership.

Through People Helping People, your contributions directly aid individuals and families—who are members of Randolph EMC—who are going through a very difficult time. Donations have been made to families battling cancer, victims of house fires, young parents who have lost both of their jobs in a failing economy, and many other folks facing crises in their lives.

It’s important for you to know that the PHP board scrutinizes every application and makes donations to those members who are most worthy of receiving them. It’s also important to note that donations are not intended to pay electric bills. The vision for this organization was not to be self-serving for Randolph EMC. The donation recipient has the discretion to use the money for their top priority, whether it’s for medication, groceries or rent.

Since its inception in 2000, the People Helping People program has administered a little over $165,000 to assist fellow members. That’s something to be proud of—your assistance is changing lives in our local communities. But there is so much more that we could do.

The easiest thing to do is not get involved. A total of 1,700 members are currently signed up to give to PHP. This means that only about five percent of all Randolph EMC accounts currently participate. Just think of what we could do collectively if all 32,800 accounts were rounded up each month! I encourage you to join us in making a difference in the life of a neighbor and fellow member in need.

Through People Helping People, your contributions directly aid individuals and families—who are members of Randolph EMC—who are going through a very difficult time. Donations have been made to families battling cancer, victims of house fires, young parents who have lost both of their jobs in a failing economy, and many other folks facing crises in their lives.

We have made it very easy for you to sign up. Simply complete the form on the next page and return it to the Asheboro or Robbins offices or visit our website, RandolphEMC.com, to sign up. I have two accounts and both participate in PHP, so if you have multiple accounts, I encourage you to sign them up as well. Also, don’t forget to sign up your businesses; this is not just for residential accounts.

Your average contribution is just 50 cents per month, or $6 per year, and we’ve made it very easy to track your contributions for tax purposes. Each year, on your January power bill, the amount donated each month for the previous year is totaled for you to use in preparing your tax returns.

Please take just a few moments today to complete the form and return it to us. Through your caring, sharing and giving, the lives of fellow Randolph EMC members will be brightened.

I’d like to close by expressing how much your employee team and Board of Directors have appreciated your support over this year. We consider it a pleasure to serve you each day.

As we enter this Christmas season, our hope is that your holidays will be filled with joyous and memorable times spent with family and friends.

We all seem to be pressed for time more than usual during the holidays. Please take time to remember the true reason for the season—the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to all!

Cooperatively Yours in Safety,

Dale F. Lambert, Chief Executive Officer