Duncan’s Digest

Make a difference – one penny at a time

SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program was established to make a difference in local communities. SECO members enroll in the program to donate to Pennies from Heaven each month. Once enrolled, SECO will round your monthly energy bill to the nearest dollar. The extra pennies fund local social service agencies and other causes that offer assistance to your fellow SECO members in need.

These funds assist other SECO members – who might be your neighbors, friends or even family – with paying an electric bill or recovering from a unique hardship such as fire, tornado or hurricane damage. Through the generous contributions of SECO members who participate in the Pennies from Heaven program, members who are struggling will not have to choose between paying their electric bill or purchasing food or medicine.

The average annual donation per member is small – about six dollars per year – but collectively, members who enroll in SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program make a big difference in our communities.

Together, SECO is almost 200,000 members strong. Currently, less than 8,000 members contribute to the Pennies from Heaven program. That is just four percent of SECO’s total membership.

If all SECO members contribute their extra pennies each month, the funds would add up to almost 120 million pennies. That $1.2 million would be used to fund local charitable organizations, purchase equipment for first responders, support local school and youth programs, fund teacher endowments and other worthy causes right here in our local communities.

Again, the annual cost is small – about six dollars per year – but collectively, members who enroll in SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program make a big difference – one penny at a time.

If you or someone you know has an unforeseen financial setback and doesn’t know where to go for help, advise them to dial 211. United Way of Central Florida operates 211 and provides resources for financial assistance, healthcare, job programs, food pantries, crisis support and more.

Would you like to join your fellow SECO members and contribute your monthly pennies to Pennies from Heaven? To enroll, sign-up online at or give us a call.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Surge Protection

SECO’s meter-based surge protection can help you protect your home’s large-motor appliances from damaging power surges during storm season and year-round. Lease this valuable protection for only $5.95 a month, plus $25 installation charge, or purchase the product for $349.

Enroll in surge protection before August 15 for a chance to win a $300 bill credit! Members who already have SECO’s surge protection are automatically eligible to win. Enroll in SECO’s meter-based surge protection online, and have fun with our Surge Protection Word Search below.

Don’t End up in the Dark

Portable Generators:

When storms and hurricanes threaten our area, having a portable generator on-hand for occasional power interruptions may be a good
plan. Here are five safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Read and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual.
2. Always run the generator outdoors away from windows, vents and doors.
3. Portable generators emit carbon monoxide (CO) a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that if inhaled can be fatal to humans and
   pets.
4. Do not attempt to use a generator when it is wet, as this poses a risk for electrocution and death.
5. Never fuel a generator while it is running and store gasoline in approved containers, out of the reach of children.

Portable Permanent Generators:

Are you thinking of installing a generator at your home or business for use during power interruptions? If so, heed these tips before purchasing and installing:

1. Installing a permanent generator is not an average do-it-yourself project.
2. A qualified electrical contractor must perform the installation of the emergency generator, as well as the disconnect and transfer switchgear.
3. Do not attempt to connect the generator directly to your electric panel.
4. Always properly disconnect from SECO’s service before starting your generator.
5. Before use, read and follow the safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual.

Improperly installing or using a generator can lead to property damage, injuries or even death. Learn more about generator safety online.

Welcome To Our Summer Intern

SECO Energy’s decades-long scholarship program has paid off for the cooperative and the local community. Megan Elliott, a 2016 SECO Energy scholarship awardee, has accepted a summer internship in our Operations department.

Megan graduated from Tavares High School in 2016, and is currently studying mechanical engineering at UCF. Megan is excited to jump in and get her feet wet with the real-world engineering experience she will receive at SECO.

Join us in welcoming Megan to the SECO family, and peruse our scholarship page to view our gallery of awardees and learn more about SECO’s scholarship program.

Read the full July 2017 SECO News here.