Fire councils in Forrest, Wayne, Perry and Jones counties are the recipients of $2,000 each courtesy of Dixie Electric Power Association’s partnership with CoBank, a mission-based cooperative lender, and the Sharing Success Program.
That program, which doubles the contributions of its customers to charitable organizations, was funded in 2012 and supports groups such as fire departments, local schools and hunger relief programs. In the case of the fire departments, the funds can be used to purchase items such as take-off gear, fire suppression equipment, thermal imaging cameras and education/training materials.
“This is our third year to apply for this CoBank matching grant, so we try to find different places in our community where we can make this money last – put it somewhere that it helps everyone in our community,” said Amanda Mills, who serves as communication manager for Dixie Electric. “We’re very active with different food pantries in our area, so we’re trying to get something else that touches those areas.
“And volunteerism is something really big to us, so we wanted to help our volunteer fire department and give them the tools they need, because they’re doing this on their own time to help our community. So if we can supply them with some of the materials they need, this is a great way that we can do that.”
Dixie Electric donated a total of $8,000 to the four counties’ fire programs, giving $2,000 to each organization. Checks for the amount were distributed on May 22 by Dixie Electric lineman Charles Houpt and member service representative Chrissy Lofton.
“We’re very appreciative to Dixie Electric, thinking of us each year to help out with that grant,” said Chip Brown, Forrest County fire coordinator. “We use that county-wide to go toward training needs with our volunteers.
“Without grants and companies like Dixie Electric, this wouldn’t be possible for us to do."
An additional $2,000 was given to the Mississippi Burn Foundation, which provides assistance to burn patients and their families throughout the state.
“That will help assist … with lodging, meals, transportation and things of that nature,” Mills said. “Those things kind of go hand in hand, with the burn foundation and the fire departments.”
The donations were made as part as Dixie Electric’s mission of “powering communities and empowering lives.”
“Dixie Electric values volunteerism, and much of its time is spent giving back to its communities through fundraisers, economic development, blood drives, volunteering at local nonprofit organizations and community events,” Mills said. “Volunteerism is also a value of first responders. Volunteer first responders help their fellow citizens in time of need and serve their communities to make a difference.
“Volunteer firefighters are a vital part of our first responders. They freely serve their community with dedication and enthusiasm and gain valuable and rewarding experience in the process. Volunteer firefighters are called upon day or night to respond to instances such as fire suppression, emergency medical aid and community education.”
