The holiday season is finally here. It’s the time of year when we gather with family and friends to carry out family traditions, reflect on the past year, and spread joy through giving. But giving back reminds me of the many good things we have right here in our communities and why it’s important to spread the good as far as we can, especially to the most vulnerable in our local area.

I’m also reminded of how wonderful our communities are and what a big impact we can have when we work together. As a member of Western Cooperative Electric, you help us spread the good throughout the year. By enrolling in our Operation Round Up program, your donations help local families and individuals in need by providing financial assistance with their energy bills.

When you “round up” your monthly bill from Western Cooperative and donate to the Western Cares fund, you’re making a big difference in someone’s life. You are helping to meet an immediate, critical need, but just as importantly, you are telling this person the community cares. Over the years, our community-focused programs, food donations, and other giving projects have helped local non-profit organizations, supported schools and students, fed hungry families, enabled families in need to keep the lights on, and so much more.

Western Cooperative also participates in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a weeklong immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors.

You’ve likely heard me say that the Community is part of Western Cooperative’s DNA. It defines who we are as an organization. When we first brought electricity to the farms of rural Kansas in 1947, the quality of life improved. But other things also need to be addressed, and through the years, this co-op has been at the forefront of bringing improvements to the quality of life in our communities. It’s why we created Operation Round Up and Western Cares. To date, with your help, we’ve given tens of thousands of dollars back to local families and individuals through Western Cares. And across the country, more than 350 electric co-ops have an Operation Round Up program, and together, we’ve raised millions for local communities.

This shows that small donations from electric co-ops like ours, over time, can collectively make a big impact. We hope you will think of Western Cooperative as more than your energy provider but also as a catalyst for good in our community. As a local cooperative, we have a stake in this community. It’s why we support local schools, organizations, and not-for-profits.

To enroll in Operation Round Up or apply for Western Cares assistance, visit www.westerncoop.com or call our office at 785-743-5561. I hope all our members have a joyous holiday season. May it be merry and bright!