Published 11/21/2008
Johnson, VT – In less than 24 hours Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) employees pulled together to collect dozens of turkeys for needy families in northern Vermont.  Employees had already donated to a local food drive, but when two line workers read about the increasing number of families in need this Thanksgiving they knew more was needed.

 On Thursday afternoon Shawn Holbrook and Rich Hughes alerted fellow employees of the need for more donations. “The situation could not be ignored,” said Holbrook.  “More and more members of our community are facing hard times. We felt that we had to do something extra this year.” 

Within hours turkeys were piling up at the Johnson headquarters. By noon on Friday more than 40 frozen birds were ready to be delivered to local food shelves including Franklin Grand Isle Community Action, Chittenden Food Shelf and Northeast Kingdom Community Action.  Donations had already been made to needy Lamoille County families through the local food drive sponsored by WLVB called the Chris Challenge, in memory of Chris Potter. 

“Fortunately for Franklin Grand Isle Community Action and folks in need, when people like VEC employees recognize a need in the community and act on it to help solve the problem it has a profound impact on the way we are able to assist people,” said Joe Zorn, Food Shelf Coordinator for Franklin Grand Isle Community Action. 

VEC is a not for profit, member owned electric utility employing approximately one hundred Cooperative Principles which includes Concern for Community. 

“As a cooperative, our commitment is to our members who are both consumers and owners,” said Elizabeth Gamache, Manager of Corporate Services. “VEC has been a part of the Northern Vermont community for more than 70 years. As we all feel the pressure of difficult economic times, our employees are concerned about our friends and neighbors in need,” Gamache added. “We are extremely proud of our employees and their generosity to the communities we live and work."