We may be many miles apart, but we are connected by the cooperative spirit that brings us together, and that is something worth celebrating.
Over the past year, several strong storms caused damage and power outages across Ohio. Every time, lineworkers and other employees of Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives mobilized to restore power in their communities. If help was needed, they put out a call for mutual assistance, and crews from neighboring co-ops left their own homes and families to help get the lights on, safely and quickly.
That’s what cooperative spirit is all about: coming together for the greater good. Ohio’s co-ops may be spread across the state — from Oxford to Carrollton, Bryan to Rio Grande — but they all share the same purpose. Every day, they strive to provide affordable, reliable electricity along with excellent service for their members.
That common goal guides co-ops not only during storms, but 365 days a year. It shapes how they plan for the future and keeps them focused on the communities they serve.
November, then, is a good time to slow down and think about what matters most. For Ohio’s electric cooperatives, that starts with people. Co-ops have always been about people helping one another, and as we see that in action again and again, we are grateful for the entire Ohio electric cooperative family, from the people who answer the phones to everyone who answers that call for mutual assistance (and the families back home who support them), as well as the members who trust their local co-op to always act in their best interest. We may be many miles apart, but we are connected by the cooperative spirit that brings us together, and that is something worth celebrating and something for which we can all be thankful.
That gratitude, especially in November around Veterans Day, also extends to the men and women serving in our military. Many have been deployed around the world for longer periods than usual, helping to keep important shipping routes open while protecting our country and its citizens. Their service comes with real sacrifice, especially during the upcoming holidays, and that’s yet another reason I am personally thankful for the chance to gather with family and friends at Thanksgiving. Sharing a meal, telling stories, and simply being together are gifts we should never take for granted.
P.S. The holidays can be especially hard for people who may not have family or close friends to lean on. Please keep them in your prayers and look for ways to reach out; even simple acts can mean a lot.
Craig Grooms is president and CEO of Buckeye Power, the co-op-owned utility that provides the electricity Ohio’s electric cooperatives deliver to their members; and Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., their statewide trade association.
