Jackson EMC employees embraced a variety of ways to bring holiday cheer to those in need in our communities.

From adopting seniors who had no family to building a ramp for a woman who is wheelchair-bound, Jackson EMC employees consider it a privilege to put the cooperative principle of “Concern for the Community” into practice every day, but especially during the month of December.

Angel Giving Tree for Seniors

Customer service representatives from Jackson EMC’s Contact Center adopted four senior citizens at a local senior living center.

“We called and asked if they had any residents who didn’t have family,” said Brenda Moore, a customer service representative who coordinated the project. Northridge Health and Rehabilitation Home in Commerce, Ga. shared wish lists for two men and two women who didn’t have families.

“We created an angel giving tree and wrote the items on tags,” Moore said. “Then our team could choose items. We were able to overstuff four laundry baskets.”

The baskets were filled with slipper socks, candy, puzzle books, coloring books, lotions and other toiletries, plus a plush toy. The Contact Center staff and their children presented the gift baskets and sang Christmas carols for the residents.

Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Employees from our Gainesville and Gwinnett offices braved cold, rainy days serving as Salvation Army bell ringers. More than a dozen employees from the Gwinnett office’s engineering and customer service departments took over bell ringing duties at Sugarloaf Mills, while Gainesville customer service representatives rang bells at Walmart.

My Sister’s Place Assistance

Jackson EMC employees at the Gainesville office adopted eight children from My Sister’s Place shelter. The children—four girls and two boys—ranged in age from five to 11.

“With the generosity of my co-workers, we were able to give at least four toys for each child,” said Diane Davis, a customer service representative who served as the Christmas project coordinator for the Gainesville office.

Christmas for Children Donations

Employees from our Neese office adopted 11 children from the Madison County Food Bank’s Christmas for Children program. Lineman Dwayne Dickerson and district secretary Melanie Berryman collected money from fellow employees and went on a shopping spree for the children, who ranged in age from six months to 11 years.

“We had so much fun buying toys for the children,” Berryman said.

“We adopt children every year, but this year we were able to adopt the most children ever,” Dickerson said.

Jackson Family Connection Sponsorship

Jackson EMC employees at the Jefferson office auctioned a nine-foot artificial Christmas tree and combined the funds with gift donations to sponsor seven children through Jackson County Family Connection.

Rotary Club Ramp Building

Three linemen from our Oakwood office helped the Gainesville Rotary Club build its 108^th ramp for a family in Flowery Branch. Shea Vaughn, Jose Salgado and Bobby Watkins joined Brent Cochran, director of customer service for Jackson EMC and current Gainesville Rotary president.

Helping a Family After Residential Fire

Employees in the corporate office adopted a single mom and her children whose apartment was destroyed in a fire in October. Members of the communication department presented the Winder family with gift cards for groceries, clothes and restaurants.