TAMPA, FL – Seminole Electric Cooperative (Seminole) alongside other electric cooperatives from across the country came together on Monday, October 8, in support of NRECA’s 2018 PowerUp Conference community service project at Tampa’s Metropolitan Ministries.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), based in Arlington, Virginia, hosted the 2018 “PowerUp” Conference in Tampa, Florida, with close to 300 attendees from 153 cooperatives from across the country. As part of the conference, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a Metropolitan Ministries Service Project in Tampa. There were 75 cooperative employees from 43 cooperatives that volunteered for this project. During the project, the volunteers were divided into working groups to work in the kitchen, thrift store, clothing warehouse, and perform environmental services.

“We saw a need, we took the challenge and we conquered it!” said NRECA Sr. Executive Assistant in the Education and Training department, Sheila Glenn. “I’m so pleased with the outpouring of care and concern that the PowerUp attendees showed for the Tampa community. This has been one of the most gratifying opportunities to visit the Metropolitan Ministries and know that our volunteering services, and monetary and in-kind donations will give HOPE and change lives in the Tampa community.”

To support this project, Seminole organized an employee donation drive prior to the conference. Collectively, Seminole’s employees donated items such as diapers, formula, and dry cereal to the Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa Bay.

“Giving back to the community in volunteer efforts and donations is a great way to demonstrate the Cooperative Principle, ‘Concern for Community’, said Seminole CEO Lisa Johnson. “I am proud of Seminole’s employees for their contributions to the project, as well as all the cooperatives nationwide who participated in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Ministries service project.”

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Based in Tampa, Florida, Seminole is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Seminole’s purpose is to provide essential wholesale services to our Members through a balanced, diversified portfolio of safe, affordable, and reliable energy resources. Seminole and its Members, nine not-for-profit, consumer-owned distribution electric cooperatives, collectively serve 1.7 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties.

Seminole Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Highlights of the year included employees at the Seminole Generating Station (“SGS”), the Midulla Generating Station (“MGS”), and Seminole’s Tampa Headquarters sending needed supplies to the Hardee Help Center and donating hundreds of diapers and wipes to benefit infants and mothers in Putnam County. Additionally, in an effort to support communities in both mind and body, Seminole awarded scholarships to worthy students in Hardee, Hillsborough, and Putnam Counties.

Lisa Johnson, Seminole’s General Manger and CEO, addressed the accomplishments: “At Seminole, we are dedicated to the value of being concerned for our communities. Throughout this year, generous donations across this organization have further confirmed the extent to which Seminole and all of its employees are willing to ‘walk-the-walk’ to support the communities in which our Cooperative operates and where we live.”

Charitable work at SGS, located in Palatka, also focused on efforts such as the March of Dimes, United Way, Relay for Life, and Homes for Our Troops. Outreach from the facility resulted in donations of almost $60,000 for these causes and organizations in 2016. Brenda Atkins, Director of Plant Operations at SGS, said: “I am so proud of the care that Seminole employees have demonstrated for the well-being of our neighbors in Putnam County.”

MGS, located in Hardee County, assisted surrounding communities with donations to the CASA Back to School Night, which collects backpacks and essential school supplies and gives them to children in need. Additionally, MGS employees championed the Rudolph Round-Up Holiday Toy Drive, collecting holiday donations for local children who have experienced abuse and neglect. James Woodall, Director of Plant Operations at MGS, noted: “we take our responsibilities to our communities seriously, and it’s an honor to work alongside all those who make it a priority to give back.”

At Seminole’s Tampa headquarters, employees contributed to the year-long “Jeans for a Cause Day” campaign and those funds were distributed to the United Way Suncoast, Suncoast Hospice, the Ronald McDonald House, the Fisher House, and the Animal Coalition of Tampa. Seminole’s headquarters also hosted regular blood drives at its facility.

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2016 Seminole Charitable Contributions and Outreach Highlights

 Midulla Generating Station, Hardee County

• Sponsorship of Hardee County Fair
• Donation to CASA’s Back to School Night
• Sponsorship of ad in Hardee County Jr. High Football Program
• Donation to Hardee County Sheriff’s Department Toy Drive
• Sponsorship of Wauchula Fall Festival
• Donation to Duette Community Center
• Donation to Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive benefitting Heartland for Children
• Donations throughout the year to the United Way of Central Florida

Seminole Generating Station, Putnam County

• Participation in the Jenkins Middle School Career Fair
• Donations throughout the year to the March of Dimes, including a raffle event, silent auction, a brownie and cookie sale, Valentine’s Day fundraiser, a Bank Night, and the Walk for Babies event.
• Donations to the Relay for Life, including participation in a rib cook-off fundraiser, a cake auction, and the Relay for Life Walk.
• Donations throughout the year to the United Way of Putnam County
• Participation in the Flagler College Career Fair
• Donations for the Annual Charity Bike Ride for Homes for Our Troops

Seminole’s Tampa Headquarters

• “Jeans for a Cause Day” supported the Animal Coalition of Tampa, the Fisher House, the Ronald McDonald House, Suncoast Hospice, and the United Way Suncoast
• Participation in a volunteer dinner for Ronald McDonald House families
• Participation in a Habitat for Humanity house being built in Tampa
• Tampa Employee Activities Committee supported New Beginnings Youth Center and Hope Children’s Home through its annual holiday charity raffle
• Participation in regular blood drives.
• Scholarships awarded in Hardee, Hillsborough, and Putnam Counties

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Based in Tampa, Florida, Seminole is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Its mission is to provide reliable, competitively priced, wholesale electric power to its nine not-for-profit, consumer-owned distribution electric cooperatives. Seminole and its Members collectively serve 1.6 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties.

Seminole Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Download this Press Release (PDF)

Approximately one hundred people, local and state dignitaries, Seminole member electric cooperatives, and Seminole employees were on-hand to participate in the special event. The ceremony was presided over by Seminole’s CEO and General Manager, Lisa D. Johnson, and the President of its board of directors, Mr. William Hart.

“I could not be prouder today to help cut the ribbon on our landmark, first solar facility—which furthers our mission to provide our Members safe, affordable, and reliable electricity,” said  Mr. William Hart, Seminole Board President.

The 2.2-megawatt solar facility is comprised of more than 8,000 panels and is located on the grounds of Seminole’s combined cycle natural gas-fired Midulla Generating Station. Although Seminole maintains a robust set of renewable sources of energy in its fuel mix, this facility will be the first large-scale, Cooperative Solar project Seminole has brought online and into its portfolio to operate.

During her remarks, Seminole CEO and General Manager Lisa Johnson highlighted the hard work of, and extensive collaboration between, personnel from Seminole, Farm Credit Leasing, and Radiance Solar, who together enabled the construction of the renewable energy facility. She noted, “Cooperative Solar, among other initiatives, has been one more way in which Seminole can secure our Members’ future while upholding cooperative values,” and continued, “we are careful about how we plan and use resources today, and we are working to embrace new resources for the future.”

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Based in Tampa, Florida, Seminole is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Its mission is to provide reliable, competitively priced, wholesale electric power to its nine not-for-profit, consumer-owned distribution electric cooperatives. Seminole and its Members collectively serve 1.6 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties.

Seminole Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Download this Press Release (PDF)

This ribbon-cutting event will be held adjacent to the 2.2-megawatt facility, comprised of more than 8,000 panels, on the grounds of Seminole’s combined cycle natural gas-fired Midulla Generating Station. Although Seminole maintains a robust set of renewable sources of energy in its fuel mix, this facility will be the first large-scale solar project Seminole has brought online and into its portfolio to operate.

Approximately 200 people, including local and state dignitaries, members of Seminole’s board and associated distribution cooperatives, and Seminole employees are expected to attend this event.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend this very special event in the history of Seminole and its nine member cooperatives. In order to ensure that we are able to accommodate all media outlets that will attend, please contact Steven Rybicki (srybicki@seminole-electric.com) by December 2, 2016 to indicate your outlet’s interest and give an estimate of how many people from the outlet will attend.

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Based in Tampa, Florida, Seminole is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Its mission is to provide reliable, competitively priced, wholesale electric power to its nine not-for-profit, consumer-owned distribution electric cooperatives. Seminole and its Members collectively serve 1.6 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties.

Seminole Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Download this Media Advisory (PDF)

On August 8, the drive for donations culminated in the delivery of the items to officials from the Putnam Community Medical Center and the United Way of Putnam County. Lisa Johnson, Seminole’s CEO and General Manager praised employee efforts: “At Seminole, as a not-for-profit cooperative, one of our guiding principles is that we show concern for the communities we serve. We couldn’t be more excited that employees from our Seminole Generating Station, Midulla Generating Station, and the Tampa office participated in this event to help new and expectant mothers in Putnam County.”

Brenda Atkins, Director of Plant Operations at SGS noted, “We are grateful for this opportunity to assist families in Palatka, and throughout Putnam County.” She continued, “Seminole is invested in this community, and has been a loyal and responsible corporate citizen here for decades. We are proud to be part of this event, which will enhance the lives of our neighbors.”

Click here for more information about the Community Baby Shower hosted by the United Way of Putnam County and the Putnam Community Medical Center.

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Based in Tampa, Florida, Seminole is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Its mission is to provide reliable, competitively priced, wholesale electric power to its nine not-for-profit, consumer-owned distribution electric cooperatives. Seminole and its Members collectively serve 1.6 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties.

Seminole Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Download this Press Release (PDF)

“Habitat for Humanity is one of the premier non-profit organizations in the United States, and it is a privilege for our not-for-profit cooperative to join forces with them to benefit a Tampa-area family,” said Lisa Johnson, Seminole’s CEO and General Manager. “Concern for community is one of the seven cooperative principles that guide Seminole, and I am proud of our employees contributing their personal time and effort to benefit our neighbors.”

(Photo Below)

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Based in Tampa, Florida, Seminole is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Its mission is to provide reliable, competitively priced, wholesale electric power to its nine not-for-profit, consumer-owned distribution electric cooperatives. Seminole and its Members collectively serve 1.6 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties.

Seminole Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Download this Press Release (PDF)