Indiana’s electric cooperatives seek to collectively invoke the cooperative principle of concern for community on the second Friday of each October.

 

In 2024, October 11 was designated as Community Day. A total of 16 Hoosier Energy member cooperatives took part in the annual event – some on that day, some before and some after.

 

Here’s a rundown of how the cooperatives made an impact in their community.

 

Bartholomew County REMC: Hosted a food drive in conjunction with Member Appreciation Day, collecting over 1,900 pounds of food that was sorted and delivered to local food pantries.

 

Clark County REMC: Partnered with Townsend Tree Service to work at Silver Heights Camp and Retreat Center in New Albany, the longest-running camp in the state of Indiana dating back to 1888. Participants spent the day clearing old trees, building benches, clearing trails, putting gravel on trails, tending flowerbeds, cutting firewood, repairing the light board and power washing the cabins.

 

Daviess-Martin employees helped remove weeds and invasive plants at Shoals Overlook Park for Community Day.

Daviess-Martin County REMC: Split the effort between two places this year. Half the group went to Shoals Overlook Park to help remove weeds and invasive plants with the Daviess-Martin CISMA. The other half went to First Choice Solutions in Washington to do a deep clean on their facility.

 

Decatur County REMC: Cleaned and assembled a gazebo in the back yard of Speranza House, which is a women’s faith-based sober living home whose mission is to provide a nurturing, sober, home-like environment for women struggling with addiction. These were the final tasks to complete before Speranza House opened this second location.

 

Dubois REC: Participated in the removal and clean-up of trees at Celestine Park. Also helped the Jasper Fire Department with pump testing.

 

Harrison REMC: Worked with annual Community Day partner Repair Affair. The focus of Repair Affair is on home safety, security and weatherizing. Group installed a French drain in front of a home so that rainwater would stop flooding the basement. Also removed and hauled away an old concrete front patio and sidewalk so a new porch and handicap ramp could be installed.

 

Henry County REMC: Had a small crew working in downtown New Castle putting up Christmas lights.

 

Jackson County REMC: A group of employees spent Community Day at Reins to Recovery completing a series of tasks. Reins to Recovery promotes physical, psychological and social wellbeing of persons with disabilities through their interaction with a therapeutic team consisting of a horse, an instructor and volunteers. Reins To Recovery also provides equine assisted programs for children and adults who have been victims of violence or abuse and for youth at risk.

 

JCREMC employees worked several places for Community Day, including Johnson County Parks and Recreation.

JCREMC: Employees completed three service projects on October 4, serving at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center, the Johnson County Humane Society and Johnson County Parks and Recreation.

 

Orange County REMC: Held Member Appreciation Day on October 11 with food and prizes for those in attendance.

 

RushShelby Energy: Worked with Townsend Tree Crews to cut and trim trees at the Indiana Rainbow Girls Foundation Camp in Edinburgh and at The Springs in Oldenburg. Other volunteers cleaned headstones at the McCarter Cemetery in Milroy.

 

South Central Indiana REMC: Continued the tradition of volunteering at the Annual Children’s Farm Festival at Peden Farms in late September, hosting live line safety demonstrations, assisting with wagon rides and more.

 

Southeastern Indiana REMC: Celebrated “Co-op Days” throughout the month of October. In addition to a month-long food drive, personal notes of appreciation from the CEO and giveaways at the front counter, there were three member-focused events – Community Day at Versailles State Park on October 4, Safety Night at the REMC on October 11 and the Mobile Mammography Program at the REMC on October 14.

 

Whitewater Valley bucket trucks help install lights in the parking lot at Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex for Community Day.

Southern Indiana Power: Performed Community Day projects throughout the year, replacing light poles at Richland Ballpark, Evanston Ballpark and Fulda Ballpark.

 

Whitewater Valley REMC: Volunteered at the Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex this year. Linemen installed security lights at the boat ramps and parking lots while other employees painted the Poplar Grove shelter and surrounding posts to enhance the area.

 

WIN Energy: About 30 employees participated in working at Pace Community Action Agency in Bicknell. Projects included painting, outside clean-up, tree trimming and cleaning toys.