BY ERIN CAMPBELL
We are gearing up for year five of our statewide Shine the Light program, which celebrates our cooperative commitment to community. During the month of June, member-consumers and employees of Iowa electric cooperatives are invited to nominate local volunteers who are making a positive difference in their Iowa communities. Three winning volunteers will each receive a $3,000 donation to their local charity and be featured in the September issue of this magazine.
Your nomination makes a difference
Starting on June 1, go to www.IowaShinetheLight.com to make a nomination. Simply enter some basic contact information for you and your nominee and answer this question in 500 words or less: How has your nominee made a difference in the community and how might their local charity/nonprofit use the $3,000 donation?
The success of our Shine the Light program depends on co-op member-consumers who take the time to nominate a friend, neighbor or relative who deserves to be recognized. If you have nominated a volunteer in a previous year and they weren’t selected as a winner, you are welcome to nominate them again.
Additionally, I will share that the judges who read through all the volunteer nominations respond positively to essays that tell a story and draw in the reader. A little creativity can help your nomination stand out in a crowded field!
A diverse impact statewide
In the first four years of the program, our 12 winners (three winners each year) represent a diverse group of charities and nonprofits. Some of the winners have included an education foundation, an animal shelter, a community garden, a local food and furnishings closet, an agricultural pavilion and an air transportation service for medical treatments. You can see our past winners at www.IowaShinetheLight.com to learn more about these incredible groups. We are continuously impressed with the range of volunteer activities and local organizations that are nominated each year.
Many of these organizations are small operations that don’t have the resources to seek major funding or media attention. Beyond the monetary donation, the Shine the Light program has been helpful in spreading the word about the great work being done by some incredible volunteers.
Thank you for considering the nomination of someone in your community who should be celebrated for their volunteer efforts and for helping us shine the light on these deserving organizations. Make your nomination online from June 1 through June 30 at www.IowaShinetheLight.com.
Erin Campbell is the director of communications for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.
