Journeyman Foreman Dennis Kidd and Journeyman Lineman Tim Williamson, along with 12 other linemen from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The volunteers earned the award for their achievement and dedication in building infrastructure that brought first-time electricity to a rural village in Laphía, Bolivia through the 2019 Brighter World Initiative.

“Randolph EMC is proud to present this national recognition to Dennis and Tim in honor of their achievement of bringing the benefits of electricity to a community that will forever be positively impacted,” said REMC CEO Dale Lambert. “Their efforts are a true demonstration of the cooperative purpose, and they represent the power of what can happen when we all work together for the common good.”

Since 2003, the President’s Volunteer Service Award has honored volunteers for using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our communities. Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program honors individuals who positively impact communities and inspire others to take action, also.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International’s Brighter World Initiative coordinated the effort. Since 1962, NRECA International has brought electricity to more than 160 million people in 44 developing countries. Linemen Kidd and Williamson also received the NRECA’s Bronze Volunteer Service Award for dedicating more than 100 hours of volunteer service to strengthen communities.