Investing in Community

Central Electric Cooperative’s Commitment Extends Far Beyond Delivering Reliable Energy

Central Electric Cooperative’s customer and energy services department employees volunteer at Ronald McDonald House in Bend. Photo courtesy of Central Electric Cooperative

By Courtney Cobb

1 of the 7 Cooperative Principles guiding Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) and its employees is Concern for Community. CEC and its employees continually invest in the community while ensuring the safe delivery of clean, reliable, and affordable energy to members.

The men and women who work to keep the power on also help those in need, give time to worthy causes, and educate the community about power safety.

Some of the organizations and causes CEC and its employees support include:

Youth education and sports programs
Childhood health and development
Veterans outreach and associations
Hospice
Chamber and Rotary clubs
United Way
Opportunity Foundation
Economic development
The Salvation Army
Regional food banks

CEC remains committed to helping equip local youths to make a positive impact. This summer, board members and employees participated in auctions for the Jefferson County, Deschutes County, and Crook County 4-H and FFA programs. CEC bought hogs, sheep and goats. Approximately $26,300 went to local 4-H and FFA participants.

Ashton Craig, a senior at Redmond Proficiency Academy in Redmond, received an all-expenses-paid trip for the National Rural Electric Cooperative’s annual Washington, D.C., Youth Tour. He and 18 other students from Oregon and California explored the nation’s capital, visiting famous landmarks, museums, and more.

“On this trip, you make friends and memories, which are so unique to you that I guarantee no one else on the trip will have the same experience you did,” Ashton says.

Oregon’s 2025 Washington, D.C., Youth Tour delegates gather in front of the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Silent Pictures LLC

Whether giving students the chance to visit the past or invest in the future, CEC understands the importance of education. The co-op funded two $5,000 scholarships this year for the Central Oregon Community College Foundation.

CEC’s Project Helping Hand provides bill payment assistance to members who demonstrate need. The PHH program enables members to round up their bills or donate to support cooperative members in need. This year proved especially challenging for some members adversely affected by the economy and inflation.

In October, the cooperative’s customer and energy services employees volunteered to help local nonprofit The Ronald McDonald House. The team helped with yard maintenance, prepping meals, organizing, and cleaning.

CEC employees also gave back to the community in other ways, including volunteering with local nonprofits and donating goods to local food banks and shelters.