(JEFFERSON, GA. Nov. 19, 2018) – Jackson EMC has donated $20,000 to the HomeFirst Gwinnett Initiative, which helps people who are homeless secure necessary mental, job, financial and legal counseling, shelter and clothing to make a fresh start.

“We are very grateful to Jackson EMC for providing this funding as we begin a new organization,” said Pat McDonough, of Anderson Tate & Carr, who is leading the initiative. “Our primary focus is individuals who have been released from the Gwinnett jail with nowhere to call home.”

The Jackson EMC donation was made from margin refunds that have been unclaimed by the electric cooperative’s members for five years. Legislation passed in 2005 permits Georgia electric cooperatives to make charitable, education and economic development contributions of unclaimed margin refunds.

Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, the largest electric cooperative in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation, is headquartered 50 miles northeast of Atlanta in Jefferson, Ga. The cooperative serves more than 228,000 meters on 14,000 miles of energized wire. For more information, visit jacksonemc.com.