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Day: April 24, 2018

SECO Serves As Starting Leg of Special Olympics Run

On Wednesday morning, SECO Energy’s employees eagerly cheered for the participants of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Sumter County’s leg of the Torch Run started at SECO Energy’s headquarters located at SR 470 and Highway 301 for the third consecutive year.

 

For decades, more than 300 different Florida law enforcement agencies carried the “Flame of Hope” torch on a 1,500-mile relay through all 67 counties in Florida. The state’s “Final Leg” of the Torch Run opens the State of Florida’s Special Olympics Summer Games to over 44,400 athletes on Friday, May 18 at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.

 

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Coordinator, Beth Hunt stated, “The Sheriff’s Office has participated in the Sumter County leg of the Special Olympics for over twenty years including Tip A Cops and Torch Runs. The support from the Sheriff’s Office and the community helps provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness and demonstrate courage. I would like to thank SECO for helping us make The Torch Run a success.”

 

Various branches of law enforcement officers throughout the county jumped on bicycles to trek 11 miles from SECO to SCARC Inc., a group home in Bushnell for the disabled.

 

SECO’s Vice President of Corporate Services & Human Resources Gregg Morrell stated, “Hosting the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics this year is an honor for SECO Energy, its Board of Trustees and our employees. The Torch Run is a unique opportunity to support two organizations; our local Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Special Olympics. Now more than ever before, communities must band together to bolster the men and women in uniform who keep us safe.”

 

Morrell added, “Special Olympics is a unique organization that offers people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete in Olympic-type sporting events regardless of their personal limitations. Special Olympics brings its special athletes and their communities together through sports activities.”

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Visit SECO’s Community page to learn more about its community outreach programs. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Buys FFA and 4-H Pigs at Lake County Fair

On Saturday, April 17, Jerry Hatfield, District 9 Board of Trustee and Kathy Judkins, Deputy Director for Civic, Charitable & Government Affairs, purchased four pigs on behalf of the not-for-profit electric cooperative at the Lake County Fair.

 

Hundreds of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H students throughout Lake County enthusiastically participate in the fair’s animal shows. The students’ journey to raising an animal for these shows requires budgeting decisions, dietary needs, pre-show preparation and a host of other management skills. The day of the shows, students must dress professionally and demonstrate they can manage their animal during the showing process for potential buyers. The skills earned through this tedious but rewarding process prepares these students for successful careers as adults.

 

As buyers representing SECO, Hatfield and Judkins purchased a pig from G.R.I.T.S. 4-H Club weighing in at 278-pounds. SECO also purchased from Morgan Allen who showed a 282-pound pig for the Okahumpka 4-H Club. A third pig was purchased from Makenzie Dunn of Lake County Explorers 4-H Club. Her pig weighed in at 273 pounds. Makenzie is a sixth grader at The Villages Charter Schools. The fourth pig purchase of the evening was from the Altoona Eagles 4-H Club and shown by Shelby Modisette, a fifth grader at Altoona Eagle Elementary School. This is Modisette’s first year showing a pig. Her pig, named Little Man, weighed in at 260 pounds.

 

Hatfield stated, “Attending the fair on Saturday brought back fond memories of when I was a principal with Lake County Schools. I’m so proud I can continue to support these fine students as a Trustee on the SECO Energy Board. I know first-hand the positive difference FFA and 4-H organizations make on students’ personal development, management and leadership skills. The showing event is just a glimpse of the work these students really put into the success of their animal project.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO continues to be a proud supporter of the youth 4-H and FFA educational programs in the counties we serve. Remaining attentive to one of our seven cooperative principles – Concern for Community – we will continue to seek opportunities to support educational projects that prepare students to join the workforce. In addition to this year’s livestock program support, in May SECO will award twelve $3,000 scholarships to high school seniors enrolling in a Florida institute of higher learning. Academic achievement, financial need and other factors are considered by the judges, but participation in 4-H or FFA gives students added points. Although the deadline to apply for 2018 was March 30, I encourage students to visit our website and look for next year’s opportunity to apply.”

 

Visit our Community page online to learn more about SECO’s community outreach programs. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.