Melrose, Minn. – Stearns Electric Association employees, through the Cooperative’s 18th Annual Employee Charity Event held on November 19th, raised $4,896 for Henry’s Heroes. Along with a $1,000 match by Stearns Electric, the total amount awarded to Henry’s Heroes was $5,896.
Ahead of the one-day Charity Event, Stearns Electric employees vote on an organization of their choice to receive the proceeds collected for the year. Donations are raised via silent auction, direct contributions and other activities held throughout the day. Stearns Electric’s generous employees also donate prizes for the silent auction along with donations from some local businesses. This year’s silent auction included 39 items.
Donations were made to Henry’s Heroes, a Central Minnesota-based non-profit organization with a mission to impact families with a child(ren) in the NICU with support, care and financial assistance that they may otherwise not typically qualify for. They also share holiday meals at the St. Cloud Hospital NICU for families and staff working on the holiday.
Henry’s Heroes founder, Gina Lomheim, and board members, Rachel Burg, Rachel Tschida and Danielle Atkinson, attended the event and spoke to employees about the organization and their important work.
“Stearns Electric is a local, member-owned electric cooperative. We value the communities and people we serve,” Stearns Electric CEO Matt O’Shea said. “The annual Charity Event is one way employees come together to live out our Stearns Electric value of meaningful community involvement.”
Since the inception of Stearns Electric’s Charity Event in 2008, Cooperative employees and the Board of Directors have donated over $71,500 to 18 worthy organizations that make significant impacts in our local communities.
“The Charity Event is an annual testament to our employees’ generosity,” Katie Anderson, member and employee engagement coordinator, explained. “The organizations that are chosen year-over-year are close to our employees’ hearts and I think that is a direct reflection on the continued success of this employee event to impact local, community organizations doing great work for others.”
(L-R) Rachel Burg, Gina Lomheim, Rachel Tschida and Danielle Atkinson, Henry’s Heroes (not pictured: Vicki Burg); Katie Anderson and John Harren, Stearns Electric Association.
