Charitable Giving & Community Support
CHELCO's "Concern for Community," the Seventh Cooperative Principle, has a far-reaching impact on the communities we serve. Our core function is to provide safe, reliable electricity to our members for the lowest possible cost. As a member-owned cooperative, we strive to go above and beyond.
Annual Sponsorships & Donations
CHELCO sponsors many events and activities in our communities, allowing employees to participate in various capacities. We support civic organizations and community fundraising events and serve on local boards for multiple organizations.
Operation Round Up
Operation Round-Up (ORU) embodies the collective spirit of our cooperative and the community. Members participate in ORU by voluntarily rounding their monthly bill to the next whole dollar amount. The funds collected benefit 501(c)(3) organizations in our communities. The ORU Committee meets every other month to consider applications and distributions. Operation Round Up has awarded over $400,000 and nearly 200 total grants since the program's introduction in 2019. https://www.chelco.com/operation-round-up
Member Appreciation Events
Annually, we host two Member Appreciation Events. These events, such as a baseball game, are not just about the game but about the personal connections we foster. CHELCO covers the admission cost for all members attending, gives away branded merchandise and gives away a $100 bill credit to one lucky member in attendance. These events give CHELCO another avenue to reach our members, show our appreciation for their support and get to know each other better outside of our day-to-day interactions.
Members Helping Members
Members Helping Members is a voluntary, member-funded program designed to provide financial assistance to CHELCO members unable to pay their electric bills due to employment-related reduction or loss of income. Distributed through the Tri-County Community Council, CHELCO members needing financial assistance with their electric service can contact their county office to see if they qualify. https://www.chelco.com/members-helping-members
Holmes County: 850-547-4263
Okaloosa County: 850-306-1134
Santa Rosa County: 850-981-0036
Walton County: 850-892-3615
Volunteer Time Off
CHELCO recognizes the importance of giving back to the community and values employee participation in local non-profit organizations. To support this, CHELCO allows employees to schedule 8 hours of paid volunteer time off (VTO) each year to serve 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit those in our service territory. This initiative strengthens ties within the community and empowers employees to directly impact causes they care about, furthering CHELCO's commitment to service and community well-being.
Employee Contributions
Each year, CHELCO employees raise thousands of dollars through internal fundraisers and payroll deductions to the United Way Emerald Coast.
Jeans Friday: CHELCO hosts Jeans Friday on the third Friday of each month, allowing employees to wear jeans in exchange for a donation to support local charities. Participants can contribute $5 each month or $50 for the entire year to wear jeans. This initiative not only boosts employee morale but also raises funds for meaningful causes within the community, reflecting CHELCO's ongoing commitment to giving back.
Halloween Happenings: CHELCO's Halloween Happenings event brings fun and friendly competition to the workplace, with employees participating in a costume contest and a chili, soup and dessert cook-off. All employees are encouraged to dress up and get creative, while votes are cast for favorite dishes and costumes in each category. It's a festive occasion that allows employees to showcase their culinary skills and creativity, all while enjoying a day of camaraderie and Halloween spirit while raising money for the Matrix Community Christmas program which helps provide Christmas gifts to children in need.
CHELCO Charity Golf Tournament
Since 2021, our Annual CHELCO Charity Golf Tournament has raised more than $40,000, allowing us to make an impact on our benefiting charities. Historically hosted at Blackstone Golf Course in May, teams enjoy refreshments and lunch grilled by CHELCO, as well as additional fundraising efforts on the course.
The CHELCO Charity Golf Tournament raised more than $12,000 in 2024, allowing us to donate over $4,000 to our benefiting charities: The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Emerald Coast Autism Center. https://www.chelco.com/golf
Radio Donation to Holmes County Sheriff's Department
After upgrading the two-way radios in our company vehicles, CHELCO donated 30 used Motorola radios to the Holmes County Sheriff's Department to use in their police cruisers. The radios, valued at over $10,000 each, helped the Holmes County Sheriff's Department communicate in patrols and response times to protect the community.
Muriel Drebing Fund
Muriel "Midge" Jane Drebing, passed away and left a significant bequeathment to CHELCO upon her passing on Oct. 21, 2021. Her only request was that we used it to help people who were struggling. We are thankful for Mrs. Drebing's generous gift and are happy to partner with the United Way of the Emerald Coast in 2024 to disburse these funds annually. https://www.chelco.com/drebing-fund
Muriel "Midge" Jane Drebing (1944-2021)
Muriel "Midge" Jane Drebing was born on July 2, 1944, to Maurice and Muriel Dore in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Bowen High School in 1962, she went on to study Nursing at the Cook County School of Nursing.
In 1962, she met James Harold Drebing, and they wed in 1963, going on to have three children, Kevin James, Suzanne Marie and Timothy James.
In 1978, Jim and Midge relocated to Bemidji, Minnesota, to own and operate The Great Escape fishing resort. Midge also completed her nursing degree and worked as a Registered Nurse as Bemidji Hospital. After 20 years of the Northern Woods, they retired to Freeport, Florida, and spent time volunteering at Caring and Sharing, supporting underprivileged children and families and enjoying their love for each other until Jim's passing in 2011.
