Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative employees exceeded their collective goal of raising $85,000 for area nonprofits as the co-op celebrates its 85^th anniversary this year.

The Employees Days of Giving campaign founded in 2024 was launched on one of the seven cooperative principles – concern for community. This year, the campaign raised a total of $87,357 through one-time gifts or employees contributing 12 working hours of pay.

“The foundation of our co-op was built on the service to our community of past employees 85 years ago, and that mindset continues today,” President and CEO Jim Lovinggood said. “Each of the non-profits are vital in making our community a safer, healthier, and better place to live. I’m grateful for our employees who carry the legacy of giving back to others.”

The charities included:

• MARYS House (Pickens) provides emergency safe shelter and resources for families who are victims of domestic violence.
• Service Dogs for Veterans (Greenville) provides a unique training program for veterans to train their own service dog to help them cope with PTSD from military service.
• Tribble Center (Oconee) is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities and special needs through comprehensive services that promote independence, inclusion, and self-determination.
• United Way of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens are three separate United Way organizations that improve our community by providing leadership in identifying needs, securing and leveraging resources, and driving action.
• Upcountry Fiber Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Upcountry Fiber that provides funding to local nonprofit organizations that enrich the lives of residents in the Upcountry Fiber and Blue Ridge Electric Co-op service territories through education, youth, culture, arts, health, and human services.
• Vets Helping Vets (Anderson) focuses on home repairs, builds wheelchair ramps, and provides transportation to critical medical appointments for veterans who are financially and/or physically unable to do so for themselves.                             

At employee safety meetings last month, the co-op learned more about the impact of four of the nonprofits — Tribble Center, Vets Helping Vets, MARY’S House, and Service Dogs for Veterans.

“We are speechless over the generosity of everyone,” MARY’S House Executive Director and Board Chair Kristina Smith said. “This support allows our organization to continue providing a safe haven and life-changing services for those who come through our doors.”