If you have an emergency, please dial 800-264-5112 for Dispatch.
South Kentucky RECC was founded more than 80 years ago on the basic principle of helping the people in its communities, or as its mission states, “to improve the lives in its communities.” That’s what drove a group of farmers in Wayne County to establish the co-op and bring electricity to south central Kentucky. It’s the premise South Kentucky RECC continues to operate on today.
One way the co-op strives to support the people in its communities is through its round-up program called The People Fund. Currently, about 3,300 generous South Kentucky RECC members have opted to round-up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, with that change being used to create a system of grants available to organizations in its communities whose financial needs are not being met by other agencies or resources.
The People Fund was started in 2004, and to date, more than a quarter of a million dollars has been distributed in more than 400 grants to organizations/groups, including local schools, food banks, and many other organizations. The most that “rounding up” can cost any South Kentucky RECC member in a year is $11.88 or $.99 each month, but that bit of change given each month can make big changes in the lives of our members, their children, and our communities.
Rick Godbey, Chief of Russell County Search and Rescue, can attest to what a People Fund grant can mean to a community. In January, his group was awarded a People Fund grant, which helped the organization to acquire additional personal protective equipment needed to aid in the assistance and rescue of individuals.
“Being located on Lake Cumberland, we are called on a great deal to assist with water rescues. Because of the People Fund grant, we have been able to purchase new life vests, which are sleeker in design to allow more movement and mobility. They will make a world of difference to us.”
In addition to new life vests, the People Fund grant also provided funds for new rain gear and universal-use helmets that can be used for ground search, as well as repelling.
Chief Godbey says the all-volunteer group operates almost solely on donations, so getting the grant was a huge help.
“Russell County Search and Rescue has about 35 active volunteers – volunteers who have taken quite a bit of training on their own time, and without the help of community partners, like South Kentucky RECC, it would be on their own dime. We have a great group of volunteers, and we all appreciate the assistance we get from our community.”
The People Fund slogan is, “Your spare change can change lives.” With its contribution to Russell County Search and Rescue, it could also be, “Your spare change can save lives.”
For information on how you can help change lives in your community through the People Fund, please call your local South Kentucky RECC office or 800-264-5112.
Applications for People Fund grants are due on January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31, and the application is available online at www.skrecc.com, or at any of the co-op’s offices. Applications are reviewed quarterly, and grants are awarded by The People Fund’s board, which is independent from South Kentucky RECC.
Photo Caption: Russell County Search and Rescue Chief Rick
Godbey models the new, sleek life vests that were
purchased with SKRECC’s People Fund monies.