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Tag: Concern for Community

SECO Energy Sends Aid to Haiti

SECO Energy is partnering with NRECA International to help Haiti operate its distribution system at the Caracol Community Electrification Program (CCEP). SECO donated a late-model service truck, a late-model four-wheel drive pick-up truck, and a reel stand to aid the CCEP’s mission to offer electricity to homes and businesses in Haiti.

 

The donation effort was spearheaded by SECO’s Manager of Substation and Transmission Design Services Kenny Rodrigue. Kenny was inspired to help the people of Hispaniola Island after completing his first mission trip to the Dominican Republic and a second trip to Haiti in 2012. While in Haiti, Kenny learned that the majority of people living there don’t have access to non-stop, all-day electricity. In fact, electricity is only available about eight hours a day.

 

Without continuous electricity, the majority of the island’s people are left without clean water. Volunteers and missionaries have helped dig and build wells, but electricity is needed to pump and filter water for clean drinking.

 

Concern for Community is a key cooperative principle and SECO engages in charitable endeavors across its service territory. Partnering with NRECA International allows SECO to broaden its community support internationally.

 

NRECA International’s goal is to build an electric cooperative in Haiti and expand electricity across the island. SECO is pleased to lend a hand. The trucks and reel donated were slated to be retired from SECO’s fleet and sent to auction. The equipment had reached the end of its useful life on SECO’s system, but still has value and usability in Haiti.

 

Kenny is excited for the opportunity to further help Haiti and stated, “I’ve been looking for ways that SECO could help Haiti and NRECA International, and I was happy to learn that we had supplies available. I am thankful for the generous spirit of SECO’s executive management and Board of Trustees. As Americans, we are fortunate and blessed – easy access to electricity is a way of life, which is not the case in all parts of the world.”

 

Jim Duncan, CEO, stated, “Concern for Community is very important to SECO employees and our Board members. It is extremely satisfying for me personally that SECO is able to join with NRECA International and help a foreign country build an electric cooperative and improve quality of life for those less fortunate. Thank you to the Board for being very supportive of the International Program that helps others help themselves and to all of the SECO employees who generously give their time to make a difference in the lives of others.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its Concern for Community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Celebrates 2017 Scholarship Awardees

SECO Energy celebrated its 2017 SECO Scholarship program with a reception for the scholarship awardees and their families at its headquarters in Sumterville Monday evening. Twelve graduating high school seniors, who live in a home served by SECO, were awarded for their scholarly pursuits with a $3,000 scholarship to the university of their choice. All of the students have plans to attend a university in The Sunshine State.

 

SECO is proud to introduce its 2017 class of scholarship awardees who hail from Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties:

 

  •   Karla Michell DeAnda – North Marion High School – Marion County
  •   Amy Michele Folker – The Villages Charter High School – Sumter County
  •   Jordan Gangi – Lecanto High School – Citrus County
  •   Macey Marie Graham – Umatilla High School – Lake County
  •   Garret Thomas Heussner – Belleview High School – Marion County
  •   Summer Noel Hotz – Real Life Christian Academy – Lake County
  •   Daniel McNair – North Marion High School – Marion County
  •   Joaquin Isaiah Negron – The Villages Charter High School – Sumter County
  •   Sarah Rose O’Neill – Tavares High School – Lake County
  •   Hannah Lea Pendleton – Citrus High School – Citrus County
  •   Robert Reed – Dunnellon High School – Marion County
  •   Mikkala Shea Supancic – West Port High School – Marion County

 

SECO Celebrates 2017 Scholarship Awardees group picture

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is guided by the seven cooperative principles. Its scholarship program encompasses two of these principles – Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information. Providing financial support to local, young scholars beginning their education, prepares them as future potential SECO employees and community leaders.

 

Ray Vick, SECO’s Board of Trustees President stated, “I am very impressed with SECO’s 2017 scholarship awardees achievements. These young men and women are bright, ambitious and a credit to their communities. On behalf of myself and the Board, I wish them the very best as they begin fulfilling their dreams.”

 

Jim Duncan, CEO agrees, “SECO’s 2017 scholarship group is impressive. I hope some of the latest crop of scholarship awardees contact SECO after graduation or during their summer break for employment and internship opportunities. This summer, one of our 2016 scholarship winners, Megan Elliott, is returning to her hometown and interning in SECO’s Operations department. SECO is a centrally located, regional utility that offers high-paying careers along with an exceptional benefits package.”

 

Learn more about SECO’s scholarship program and additional community outreach programs. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.