DECEMBER 2024 | IN THIS ISSUE
JACKSON EMC RETURNING $16 MILLION TO MEMBERS
EASY TIPS TO LOWER YOUR ENERGY USE THIS WINTER APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR
GRATITUDE IN ACTION
With the holidays and a new year on the horizon, it’s a great time to reflect on what truly matters. We’re thankful for the opportunity to serve you. We’re equally grateful for the members, employees and community partners who help us put our cooperative principles in action, especially “Concern for Community.”
Our values encourage us to make a difference in the community, whether that’s powering homes and businesses or contributing to positive change with care and kindness. In this month’s issue of JEMCO News, you’ll read about our employees packing more than 4,000 hygiene kits for students in need. That’s an impressive number but what’s equally impressive are the 40 schools that allowed us to be a part of helping those students. For many, access to basic necessities at home isn’t guaranteed. The hygiene kits offer a discreet way to share our care for them. We’re grateful those local schools welcomed us as partners in this meaningful effort to support their students.
Earlier this year, our employees came together to support 15 local organizations during our month of service, volunteering more than 1,2000 hours to assist a host of nonprofit organizations. These nonprofits often provide critical resources and support that directly impact the well-being of individuals and families in our service area. By lending a hand, our employees help ensure those vital services reach more people in need.
We’re also grateful that 90% of Jackson EMC members participate in Operation Round Up. One hundred percent of this money goes directly back to the community through grants awarded by the Jackson EMC Foundation. In the past year alone, the Jackson EMC Foundation has awarded $1.3 million in grants to support food banks, emergency shelters, youth development, community health clinics and more.
The Jackson EMC Foundation grants are part of a ripple effect in our community. Your contributions allow nonprofits to
Stay Warm and Save:
help those most in need, while building a foundation for long-term impact. It’s through these small contributions, multiplied by the power of many, that show the cooperative spirit – working together to strengthen our community.
As we prepare to celebrate the holidays, we’re profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve you and the community. On behalf of everyone at Jackson EMC, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright, hopeful start to the new year!
Have a story to share about serving others in the community? Share it with me at chip@jacksonemc.com.
CHIP JAKINS President & CEO
EASY TIPS TO LOWER YOUR ENERGY USE
As the days get colder, it’s tempting to crank up the heat. Before you do, consider these energy-saving tips to keep your family warm this winter:
OPEN DRAPES, CURTAINS OR BLINDS on sunny days to let the sun’s warmth naturally warm your house. Close the window coverings once the sun goes down to reduce chilling.
DO HOUSEHOLD CHORES AFTER DARK. The movement will help keep you warm, and running your dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer after dark will add a bit of heat to the air.
RESIST THE TEMPTATION to warm up your home by lighting a fire in your wood-burning fireplace. Most of the heat it produces goes up the chimney, along with any warm air that’s already in the house.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a life-changing experience that will inspire and empower you!
The Washington Youth Tour
Join a journey of discovery, leadership and unforgettable moments in the nation’s capital.
As a Jackson EMC delegate on the Washington Youth Tour, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Washington, D.C. You will explore the city’s most iconic landmarks and museums, meet with elected officials, and form lasting friendships with fellow delegates from Georgia and across the country. This all-expenses-paid experience trip sponsored by electric cooperatives, is a valuable opportunity for motivated, community-minded students.
The Washington Youth Tour offers student delegates an unparalleled opportunity to enhance their networking skills, deepen their understanding of electric cooperatives and gain leadership experience that will benefit them for years to come.
Delegates from Georgia on the Washington Youth Tour meet with Sen. Jon Ossoff at the U.S. Capitol.
Teachers Awarded
Bright Ideas Grants from Jackson EMC
Jackson EMC awarded Bright Ideas grant checks to 55 teachers, supporting their efforts to introduce dynamic and innovative projects in their classrooms. This year, the cooperative invested a total of $71,956 in educators from 29 local middle schools.
The Bright Ideas grant program awards up to $2,000 to sixth through eighth-grade teachers in Jackson EMC’s service area for innovative class projects that would go unfunded otherwise.
This year’s grants will fund projects in science, technology, art, music, literacy, agriculture, math and more.
Over the past 10 years, Jackson EMC has awarded more than $620,000 in Bright Ideas grants to support innovation in middle school classrooms. Funded projects must actively engage students, offer a creative and innovative learning experience with lasting benefits and promote teamwork. Applications are evaluated by an independent panel of judges with educational expertise to ensure fairness and high standards.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year will open in August. For more information, visit jacksonemc.com/brightideas
To view a full list of Bright Ideas winners, scan the QR code or visit jacksonemc.com/brightideas.
Commitment TO THE COMMUNITY
At Jackson EMC, we embrace one of our core cooperative principles, “Concern for Community,” which drives our commitment to making a positive impact. Recently, our employees united with a shared mission – supporting local students in need.
Employees packed more than 4,000 hygiene kits, each filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and body wash/shampoo. These kits were delivered to 40 local schools to distribute to students who needed them most, ensuring that students do not have to go without basic hygiene supplies.
The cooperative’s community involvement program, Jackson EMC Cares, coordinated the project. From stocking food and clothing pantries to packing food boxes for senior citizens and building Habitat for Humanity homes, Jackson EMC Cares empowers our employees to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Your Operation Round Up® Contributions at Work
Thanks to your contributions through Operation Round Up®, nonprofit organizations are making an impact in our community.
Earlier this year, local chapters of Habitat for Humanity in Gwinnett, Jackson and Clarke counties received Jackson EMC Foundation grants to build new homes for families in need.
Additionally, Jackson EMC linemen joined in on the construction, lending a hand to bring one of these homes to life.
As these homes become a reality for their future homeowners, Habitat for Humanity has shared updates on social media. Check out a couple of their posts to the right.
OPERATION ROUND UP ® : YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a total of $108,795 in grants, including $100,085 to organizations and $8,710 to individuals.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$15,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society Prince of Peace, Flowery Branch, to fund rent and mortgage assistance for Barrow, Hall, Gwinnett and Jackson County families in crisis.
$15,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Gainesville, to fund rent and mortgage assistance for Hall County families in crisis.
$15,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Lawrenceville, to fund rent and mortgage assistance for Gwinnett County families in crisis.
$11,085 to Lydia’s Place, Inc., Athens, for its Elevate Transitional Housing Program, an educational independent living skills program for young adults in Clarke and Gwinnett counties who have experienced foster care or housing insecurity.
$10,000 to Family Counseling Service of Athens, Inc., to provide more than 200 counseling sessions for its Bridging
Barrow, Franklin, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
$10,000 to Family Promise of Hall County, a community effort to end the cycle of family homelessness, to support its case manager.
$10,000 to the Ark of Jackson County, to provide financial assistance for rent or mortgage assistance.
$7,500 to Lifewell Ministries, Inc., to provide counseling sessions for its Lifewell Mental Health Program serving residents in Banks, Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties.
$6,500 to North Georgia Interfaith Ministries, Inc. (dba, Jeremiah’s Place), Dahlonega, to support three clients in its Transitional Housing Program.
Individual Recipients:
$4,388 for a dental procedure for a Hall County woman with a disability.
$4,322 for a service dog for a Gwinnett County child with a disability.
the Gap Program serving residents in Clarke, Banks,
$108,795 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED
MEMBERS MAKE IT DELICIOUS
Peppermint Brownies
“This recipe is a family favorite, as well as a hit at holiday cookie exchanges. I always make them at Christmas and several times during the year for office parties and other occasions.”
— SUSAN COSTARDO, DACULA
FIRST LAYER INGREDIENTS:
tsp. vanilla 1 1/2 4 1
cup sugar
cup butter, softened eggs
FIRST LAYER DIRECTIONS:
cup flour (regular or gluten free)
tsp. salt
16 oz. can Hershey's syrup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until brownies pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool brownies while you make the second layer.
SECOND LAYER INGREDIENTS:
cup butter, softened 2 1/2
cups powdered sugar
SECOND LAYER DIRECTIONS:
3
tbsp. Crème de Menthe liquor or the following substitution: 2 to 3 tbsp. milk, 1⁄2 tsp. peppermint extract and a few drops of green food color to make frosting light green.
Mix all ingredients. Spread mixture over cooled brownies.
THIRD LAYER INGREDIENTS:
cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1
THIRD LAYER DIRECTIONS:
butter 6
Melt chocolate chips using your preferred method and mix with butter. Allow the mixture to cool for two or three minutes. Pour over mint frosting.
Chill frosting-topped brownie for several hours until chocolate hardens. Cut into servings.
SEND US YOUR BEST RECIPES: RECIPES@JACKSONEMC.COM OR MAIL TO: COOPERATIVE COOKING | JACKSON EMC | PO BOX 38 | JEFFERSON, GA 30549 FIND RECIPES AT JACKSONEMC.COM/RECIPES.
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Jackson EMC is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the following: the provisions of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended; Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, as amended; Section 42 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended; 41 Code of Federal Regulations Part 60-300, and other protected veterans; and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or Vietnam or disabled veteran status shall be excluded from participation in, admission, or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of this organization's programs or activities. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of CFR 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all
individuals based on their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
The person responsible for coordinating this organization's nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Keith Johnson, Vice President, Human Resources and Employee Development. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/ complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 202509410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda. gov. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.
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JACKSON EMC OFFICES
1000 Dawsonville Highway Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2415
85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull, GA (706) 548-5362
850 Commerce Road Jefferson, GA (706) 367-5281
825 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA (770) 963-6166
EMC SECURITY
55 Satellite Blvd., NW Suwanee, GA (770) 963-0305 or (706) 543-4009 jacksonemc.com YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.
JACKSON EMC RETURNING $16 MILLION TO MEMBERS
Approximately 237,000 current and former Jackson EMC members will receive their share of $16 million in margin refunds. Checks will be mailed this month.
After December’s refund, Jackson EMC will have refunded $220 million to members since its founding in 1938.
“We are thrilled to return $16 million in margin refunds to our current and former members. Each year, any revenues remaining after covering the cost of providing electricity are reinvested by Jackson EMC to enhance our distribution system — upgrading poles, transformers, substations and related equipment. Surplus revenues are then returned to our members as margin refunds,” said Rodney Chandler, chairman of the Jackson EMC Board of Directors. “We focus on member service, not profits. Jackson EMC has a long history of providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to members, and also a great history of returning surplus margins back to our members.”
Margins are refunded for a combination of years, so former, long-term and newer members benefit from belonging to an electric cooperative, like Jackson EMC. This year, margin refunds will go to those who received electric service from Jackson EMC in 1998, 1999, 2000 and/or 2023. The amount of each member’s refund check is based on the amount each member paid for electric service during those years.
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