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SECO Energy Spreads Holiday Cheer Through Toys for Tots Drive

SECO Energy is proud to continue its longstanding tradition of sponsoring the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Each year, SECO Energy holds an annual donation drive in which employees and members of the cooperative contribute toys and gifts for the Toys for Tots donation boxes located at any one of SECO Energy’s five Member Service locations. 

 

Founded over 85 years ago, SECO Energy was formed by members who banded together to bring electricity to rural areas of Central Florida, fulfilling a previously unmet need. Each year, the cooperative’s members and employees voluntarily donate gifts to support local communities across Central Florida, which serves as a reminder of this shared purpose. 

 

“SECO employees are a charitable group, and they particularly enjoy making contributions that benefit the communities we serve. The generosity of SECO Energy’s employees and members ensures that local children will have toys to unwrap and smiles on their faces on Christmas morning,” stated Curtis Wynn, SECO Energy’s Chief Executive Officer. 

 

The Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots’ purpose is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to children across the United States through the gift of a new toy. Since 2001, the Toys for Tots program has been ranked as one of the top-rated charities by “Philanthropy 400.”  

 

This year’s Toys for Tots donation drive resulted in hundreds of toys donated through SECO Energy’s annual campaign. The toys remain within the community where they are collected, making a tangible difference for families in need. For some children, the gift of a toy from the program may be the only present they receive this holiday season. 

   

Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s VP of Communications, Community and Member Experience, who oversees the cooperative’s Toys for Tots initiative, added, “I’m incredibly grateful to the hundreds of SECO employees and many members who joined us in spreading holiday cheer this year. The smallest acts of kindness—like donating a toy—can have a lasting impact and bring happiness to children throughout our service area.” 

 

Toys for Toys Photo Collection:

 

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.  

 

 

SECO Employees Raise $12,000 at Relay for Life

On Friday, April 29, SECO’s team of employee volunteers participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Fundraiser for Sumter County. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event; and it raises donations that contribute to cancer research as well as providing support for cancer patients and their caregivers.

 

This year’s theme was “Stopping Cancer in its Tracks,” inspired by the iconic television show Soul Train. SECO team members and other volunteers boogied through the night and into the morning to represent their commitment to continue the fight against cancer. The SECO team’s fundraising efforts paid off. It raised over $12,000 for the American Cancer Society.

 

The SECO team danced to the DJ and brought the ‘70s back to life with bright lights, disco balls and psychedelic colors. SECO Energy’s Service Center Manager Donna Etts and Accounting Analyst Tanya Mikeals wore the grooviest costumes of the night and won the ‘70s themed costume contest.

 

SECO Energy Employees Raise $12,000 at Relay for Life

 

The SECO team members took turns walking or running laps to remind the community that cancer never sleeps. At the event, SECO team members walked special laps dedicated to cancer survivors and patient caregivers. A quiet memorial lap was walked in honor of loved ones who have lost their cancer fight. The memorial lap is particularly moving to many SECO team members.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO supports the communities it serves through strong corporate citizenship efforts. SECO employees embody the cooperative spirit by playing an active role in the communities where they live through volunteering and monetary donations. SECO employees make a difference in their communities every day.”

 

For more information about SECO Energy and its corporate citizenship, visit www.secoenergy.com.

SECO Employee Named Sumter County Chamber Volunteer of the Year

SECO Energy is proud to announce that Ryon Meyers, Key Accounts Consultant, has been named Sumter County Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

 

Ryon has dedicated numerous hours to many different projects in support of the Sumter County Chamber. Each month, Ryon has set up tables, chairs, audio and video equipment as well as volunteered for clean up before and after all chamber luncheons. He has attended all quarterly signature events and delivered welcome packages to all new chamber members.

 

“I am so proud of Ryon,” stated Barbara Shaw, SECO’s Manager of Key Accounts & Energy Services. “It warms my heart to have employees on my team willing to dedicate their time to give back to our community. I am so pleased that Ryon’s contributions and hard work are recognized by the Sumter County Chamber.”

SECO Employee Named Sumter County Chamber Volunteer of the Year

Kathryn Gloria, SECO’s Vice President of Corporate Communications & Energy Services agrees, “I am humbled that many of our employees donate their time and talents to help others. As a not-for-profit cooperative, we support the communities we serve and our employees exemplify this through their willingness to lend a hand.”

 

Concern for Community is a key cooperative principle and SECO is proud that its employees take their personal time to volunteer within their communities. Recently, SECO employees have volunteered their time to United Way for the Day of Caring project in Marion County and pledged nearly $45,000 in donations to United Way for 2016.

 

SECO strives to be a good corporate citizen and partner to our members and the communities we serve. Our employees contribute countless hours of their free time in order to make a personal difference in their communities. Many SECO members also aid communities in need by agreeing to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These extra pennies make a difference for local communities’ one penny at a time.

 

Learn more about SECO’s corporate citizenship or its Pennies from Heaven program here.