Today a group of students from Van High School presented an $800 donation to Van Community Ministries (VCM). This check was made possible through one of Wood County Electric Cooperative’s (WCEC) software vendors, SEDC. For the third year SEDC held a video contest for current software customers. Contestants were asked to have fun while making a creative video focusing on SEDC’s products and to imagine what life at the cooperative would be like without them.
To add a little energy to WCEC’s submission, the cooperative reached out to Kelly Lockwood, Van High School’s Choir Teacher, and asked her to recruit some student involvement. Lockwood organized 22 Van ISD students, including Vince Vandal, the mascot, to perform a fun and high energy dance. The students had to practice the synchronized dance, but were cheerfully up to the challenge once they knew any money won would be donated to Van Community Ministries. Their efforts, in large part, led to the cooperative being awarded $800 in winnings.
VCM was specifically chosen as the beneficiary charity because it took the leadership role in organizing disaster relief for affected families following the May 2015 tornado, In part, VCM organized temporary housing, food, school clothing for children, and commissary and monetary assistance for basic immediate necessities. While the community has made great strides, the need of those affected by this disaster is still great. VCM continues ongoing support for the victims of the tornadoes as it continues its other regular outreach programs.
About this donation, Debbie Robinson, GM and CEO of WCEC said, “It pleases me immensely to see these talented and generous kids go out of their way to help others. This is a generous gift by SEDC and we are grateful to them to be able to gift this money to help VCM, a richly deserving organization.”
Beverly Cauley of VCM received the check for the organization and said, “Every donation, be it monetary, goods, or services, goes to serve families residing only within the Van Independent School District. It’s such an inspiration that these kids took the time to participate in an effort to raise money for our families in need, and they should be commended.”
About Wood Country Electric Cooperative
Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit electric cooperative with the mission of providing member-customers reliable electric service at a reasonable rate. WCEC serves over 34,000 meters in parts of nine counties throughout northeast Texas, including Camp, Franklin, Hopkins, Rains, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood. Visit our website for further information about WCEC.
About Van Community Ministries
VCM is the umbrella organization of Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, which was founded in 1996. VCM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 2007. VCM exists to coordinate means of assisting low-income families in need in Van Independent School District. The ministry’s success is a direct result of the financial and moral support of churches, organizations, and individuals in the community.