Pandemic Can't Stop Employees' Generosity

OEC employees aren’t letting a global pandemic stop them from giving back to the communities they love.

Recently, Applications Analyst Bess Jackson (pictured left and on cover) and Manager of Enterprise Applications Jenni Smith spent time at WildCare Foundation feeding rescued baby Mississippi Kites. Meanwhile, District Lineman Jake Calvert, as part of the Cleveland County Fair board, helped award youth during the Fair's livestock show.

Located about five miles southeast of Noble, WildCare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild animals native to Oklahoma. The Foundation has helped injured, orphaned and ill wildlife from 57 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Over 7,000 patients representing more than 140 different species are treated annually thanks to thousands of willing rescuers, volunteers and dedicated financial and in-kind supporters. [3907211203]

This year, WildCare has experienced a dramatic increase in both animal intakes and calls for help. So far in 2020, WildCare has had 40 days in which animal intake has exceeded 50 animals — compared to only 17 days in all of 2019. WildCare averaged 112 phone calls per day during April, May and most of June. Most of these calls are providing critical information to help people reunite animals with their parents in the wild or determine whether animals need to be brought to WildCare for care.

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

OEC's board of trustees knows the importance of community commitment. After all, it is one of the seven guiding principles for all cooperatives. The board began encouraging employee community involvement in 2017 — since then, employees have spent hundreds of hours being the hands and feet of nonprofits scattered all over OEC's seven-county service area.

This year, employees have volunteered at the Cleveland County Fair board, the Cleveland County Junior Livestock show, the Moore Food Resource Center and United Way Impact Council meetings.

Although group events are on hold right now, anyone can get involved. A good place to start is the United Way of Norman's (UWN) website for a listing of its partner agencies. While UWN headquarters is located in Norman, its agencies serve throughout Cleveland County and into McClain County.

Interested in hearing more about how we are involved in our communities? Listen to OEC's The Current Buzz podcast episode 19 on Spotify or Apple podcasts!

District Lineman Jake Calvert presenting a Grand Champion award at the Cleveland County Junior Livestock Show