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Tag: Kathy Judkins

SECO Buys Leland Fudge and Jenna Mears’ Swine at Sumter Youth Fair

SECO Energy once again participated in the Sumter County Youth Fair & Auction. SECO Energy Manager of Consumer Billing Tim Wallace bid on a number of students’ livestock. Remaining within SECO’s allotted budget, Tim was able to purchase two pigs from local students.

 

Tim purchased Leland Fudge’s swine on SECO’s behalf during the March 13, 2019, Sumter County Youth Fair. Leland has been participating in the youth fair for the past six years, is in the ninth grade and attends South Sumter High School. Tim also purchased Jenna Mears’ swine on SECO’s behalf during the resale process. Jenna is a member of the South Sumter High School FFA Chapter. She plans to set the funds she collects aside for her future college tuition at UF where she plans to major in Botany.

 

SECO Energy’s Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable & Government Relations Kathy Judkins is impressed with this year’s Youth Fair participants. She stated, “These students are gaining skills that are preparing them for the workforce and companies such as SECO Energy are always seeking employees who have organizational, time management, dedication, teamwork, analytical and problem-solving skills.”

 

Visit our Community page to learn more about the not-for-profit cooperative’s community outreach efforts. Enroll in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar and donate the extra pennies for worthy causes like bill payment assistance for members in need. Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Purchases Tyler Willis’ Angus Steer at Citrus County Youth Fair

SECO Energy once again participated in the Citrus County Youth Fair & Auction. SECO Energy Vice President of Engineering Ben Brickhouse and Manager of Engineering Mike White attended the Citrus County event and bid on a number of students’ livestock. Ben reported that prices were much higher than previous years. Remaining within SECO’s allotted budget, Ben was able to purchase one steer through the buyback process and provide add-on dollars to several other students’ projects.

 

SECO was outbid three times before being able to purchase a steer belonging to Tyler Willis. Tyler is 12 years old and a member of the Ease’s Rough Riders 4-H. This is Tyler’s second year of showing a steer. The steer weighed in at 1,320 pounds and is an Angus steer. Tyler also gave a gift basket of appreciation to Ben and Mike after the purchase! Ben stated, “It is always a pleasure to interacting with the youth fair students.”

 

SECO Energy’s Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable & Government Relations Kathy Judkins is impressed with this year’s Youth Fair participants. She stated, “These students are gaining skills that are preparing them for the workforce and companies such as SECO Energy are always seeking employees who have organizational, time management, dedication, teamwork, analytical and problem-solving skills.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s community outreach efforts. Enroll in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar and donate the extra pennies for worthy causes like bill payment assistance for members in need. Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Purchases Students’ Livestock at Marion County Youth Fair

SECO Energy once again participated in the Marion County Southeastern Youth Fair Auction. Through the resale process, SECO purchased one steer and two pigs during the week-long Youth Fair auction event. 

 

The first purchase of the week was Zachary Duncan’s 960-pound steer named Steeler. Zachary is an eighth grader at Liberty Middle School. This event marks Zachary’s fifth year participating in the Youth Fair. He looks forward to attending West Port High School next school year. Most important, Zachary looks forward to showing one of his “homegrown” yearlings at next year’s Youth Fair. After high school, Zachary wants to become a diesel mechanic and a cattle rancher.

 

SECO Energy’s Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable & Government Relations Kathy Judkins also engaged with a few of Belleview Middle School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter during the Youth Fair. The participants entered the arena with a pig weighing in at 273 pounds. The students were so excited to take part. Though they were exhausted by the long week of activities, it was evident by the welcoming smiles they loved being a part of their FFA chapter and appreciated SECO’s purchase of their pig.

 

SECO also purchased Taylor Burns’ 252-pound. Taylor is a senior at Vanguard High School, and she plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall to study Agricultural Law. Kathy Judkins is impressed with this year’s Youth Fair participants. She stated, “These students are gaining skills that are preparing them for the workforce and companies such as SECO Energy are always seeking employees who have organizational, time management, dedication, teamwork, analytical and problem-solving skills. It is a pleasure to interact with them.”

 

To learn more about the not-for-profit cooperative’s community outreach efforts visit our Community page. Enroll in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar and donate the extra pennies for worthy causes like bill payment assistance for members in need. Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Members/Employees Donate 5,000 Pounds to Local Food Pantries

Hundreds of SECO Energy members and employees graciously gave 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food during the “Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” food drive initiative at SECO Energy’s 81st Annual Meeting of the Membership which garnered a crowd of nearly 5,000 attendees on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

 

SECO Energy and local United Way agencies partnered to identify 14 regional food banks in SECO Energy’s service territory to receive the collected food. Volunteers from some of those food banks along with United Way representatives and SECO employees collected, sorted, packed, and delivered 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to:

 

  • Brother’s Keeper
  • Salvation Army of Marion County
  • Interfaith Emergency Services
  • St. Theresa’s Social Services
  • Community of Gratitude
  • Salvation Army of Lake County
  • Leesburg Food Bank
  • Faith Neighborhood Center, Inc.
  • Lake Cares
  • Salvation Army of Sumter County
  • Wildwood Food Pantry
  • Hope Ministries Center, Inc.
  • Daystar Life Center
  • Community Food Bank Citrus County

 

According to Rebecca Brislain, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Food Banks, “Florida food banks have been distributing food at disaster levels over the last three years with increases of 80 percent in some areas of the state.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan said, “We recognize disasters don’t always hit during a hurricane or severe storm but can occur at any given time to individuals or families. We continue to adhere to our seventh cooperative principle, “Concern for Community.” I believe this is why hundreds of our members showed their concern for community by donating to this worthy cause.”

 

“Some of our members suggested they would visit one of the identified food banks at a later date to drop-off their food items. Others gave money for SECO to purchase items for the food drive. We ask the community to continue our theme of ‘Feeding the Cooperative Spirit’ by giving to the local food bank closest to them,” stated Kathy Judkins, Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable & Government Relations.

 

View our video footage of the food drive and learn more about the not-for-profit cooperative’s community outreach efforts online. Enroll in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar and donate the extra pennies for worthy causes like bill payment assistance for members in need. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Buys Marion County Students’ Swine and Steer

Last week, Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director for Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs, purchased one steer and three swine at the Marion County Southeastern Youth Fair at the Ocala Live Stock Pavilion.

 

Each year, hundreds of students glean from the exposure they’ve received from participating in the youth fair. They learn how to care for their animals which is very evident when they step into the auction’s area seeking the highest bid from buyers. Besides seeking the highest bid, the students gain something greater – work ethic, finance and business management skills.

 

As a buyer representing SECO, Judkins purchased a steer from Riley Thoresen, a junior at Belleview High School, who showed a steer for Wild n’ Country 4-H Club that weighed in at 937 pounds. Riley plans to use her profits from the sale to continue saving for college where she hopes to become a behavioral analyst.

 

Later in the week, Judkins purchased two pigs from Dunnellon High School Future Farmers of America (FFA). Christen Adams’ pig weighed 252 pounds and Barry Duncan’s pig weighed 225 pounds. A third pig was purchased from Cassidy Clarke, a SECO member and a senior at Belleview High School, who showed a 236-pound pig for the Wild n’ Country 4-H Club. Fighting back tears, Clarke stated, “I’ve been showing pigs for twelve consecutive years, and I’m going to miss it. This year’s swine auction will help me with my college funding. My love for animals will continue because I’ve been accepted into Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton Georgia where I plan to major in Pre-Professional Biology and then transfer to a Veterinary Science Program.”

 

Judkins stated, “The youth fair gives students an introduction to agriculture and animals that they may never receive otherwise. For decades, SECO continues to be a proud supporter of the students in rural agriculture programs. From an educational standpoint, these students are learning valuable skills that will prepare them for remarkable careers.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO’s participation in youth livestock programs in the counties we serve also helps the cooperative identify and encourage students whose homes are served by SECO to apply for the scholarship program. This year, 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. I encourage these students to visit our website and apply today because the submission deadline is March 30.”

 

Visit our Community page 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.

SECO Employees Pledge $52,200 for United Way

SECO Employees Pledge 52,200 to United WaySECO Energy’s yearly United Way pledge drive concluded on Giving Tuesday, and once again SECO employees demonstrated their personal commitment to local communities by pledging generously. This year, SECO employees pledged $52,214 for United Way’s 2018 Live United campaign.

 

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is recognized as Giving Tuesday – a global giving movement to help neighbors in need. SECO employees’ pledges aid in endowing local service programs benefitting the communities in SECO’s footprint and beyond. The United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Yearly, 61 million people across the world benefit from the programs and services funded by the United Way.

 

Much of the pledged funding is locally designated by each employee to the agency of their choice and administered through the United Way. 2018’s United Way campaign hit close to home for SECO employees who witnessed first-hand the devastation from Hurricane Irma this summer. As of Giving Tuesday 2018, the cooperative’s employees had topped the 2017 pledges of $50,171 – beating it by $2,043.

 

CEO Jim Duncan states, “SECO employees consistently display their goodwill toward others, and I am grateful to work with employees who care about our members and our communities. I applaud our employees’ generous spirit with their promise of $52,214 to support local United Ways. This giving spirit reflects the very essence of our not-for-profit electric cooperative business model.”

 

Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs stated, “On Giving Tuesday, commit to volunteering your time or donating monetarily to help others in need. I am so proud of SECO employees’ willingness to share a portion of their paycheck with local communities through their United Way pledges, and through their personal altruistic endeavors throughout the year.”

 

To learn more about the United Way, find a volunteer opportunity or to be connected with a local agency, visit www.UnitedWay.org. To learn more about SECO Energy’s corporate citizenship initiatives.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Donates Trees to Marion County Women’s Shelter

SECO Energy enriches its commitment to local communities by donating trees and shrubs to The Shepherd’s LightHouse, Inc., a women’s shelter in Belleview dedicated to assisting single mothers and their children. The shelter is currently renovating and the trees and shrubs will be planted to beautify the grounds and create a homey atmosphere for the residents.

 

The Shepherd’s LightHouse is dedicated to helping people in need by providing transitional housing to single mothers and their children. The shelter provides a safe place for the residents to live while offering basic life skill classes tailored to the client’s needs, life coaching to help residents set future goals, transportation assistance to work or day care and computer access to help job-seekers connect with potential employers.

 

The Shepherd’s LightHouse is also a community resource center offering residents valuable, hands-on work experience by volunteering at the Shepherd’s LightHouse Thrift Store. The thrift store also offers volunteer opportunities, and accepts donations from the community to provide an income stream to the shelter. In addition, the LightHouse manages six reduced-rent apartments for struggling families. Last year, Shepherd’s LightHouse assisted 77 south Marion County families in various capacities.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, serving members in Marion County for almost 80 years, SECO Energy is a long-time supporter of local communities. SECO employees support local causes by volunteering their time and monetary support. Each year, SECO employees donate toys in our Christmas-time Toys for Tots drive and make generous contributions to United Way. Last year, SECO employees raised over $50,000 for United Way with over $13,000 slated for Marion County.”

 

Shepherd’s LightHouse Case Manager Theresa Chambers stated, “The Shepherd’s LightHouse is a direct service program structured to help mothers overcome negative life cycles and the barriers that keep her and her children from moving into an independent lifestyle. We are very grateful to SECO Energy for supporting the needs of mothers in south Marion County and thank them for the trees and shrubs. We are currently in the process of completing a renovation beautification project, and the trees and shrubs will enable us to add finishing touches to the project.”

 

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

SECO Sponsors Youth Fair Participants

On Tuesday, February 21, Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs, attended the Marion County Southeastern Youth Fair at the Ocala Livestock Pavilion to continue SECO’s support of young people in rural agriculture activities. SECO has supported Youth Fairs in its service territory for decades.

 

Hundreds of students involved in local school chapters of 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) participate in the fair each year. By showing and selling a steer at the Fair, students learn responsibility, marketing, communication and record keeping. Students are responsible for the animal’s feed, health and well-being and maintain the health records for their animal. Participants strengthen their communication and marketing skills by writing letters requesting sponsorship and generating interest in a final sale for their animal.

 

The Marion County Southeastern Youth Fair is the largest Youth Fair event in Florida. The foundation of the Fair began in 1941 with the Steer Show and the current Youth Fair format began in 1978. Hundreds of volunteers contribute thousands of hours to make the Youth Fair a success in Marion County.

 

As SECO’s representative, Judkins purchased a 1,004 pound steer from Dunnellon High School’s Tyler Matthew. Tyler is active in his school’s FFA Chapter, which includes 50 students under the guidance of teacher Austin Skipper. A senior this year, Tyler plans on attending college in the fall and will use his proceeds from the sale to assist in financing his education.

 

Judkins stated, “We live in a fast-paced world. In the age of social media and an infinite number of other distractions, it is a delight to see kids participating in farming events. FFA and 4-H gives kids a chance to slow-down, unplug and dedicate their time to caring and raising animals.”

 

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