DID YOU KNOW: Community Support Allows Angel Tree Initiative to Comfort Dozens of CEC Families

Did you know that more people facing hardships in our region are finding hope and relief thanks to the generosity of Community Electric Cooperative’s member-owners? CEC supports several programs of its own to be a good neighbor, but many meaningful charitable initiatives succeed only because of the kindness and participation of cooperative members and others throughout our community.

Most recently, CEC’s Angel Tree Community Drive surpassed its $5,000 fundraising goal to help ease the financial burden on members experiencing difficult circumstances. The Angel Tree initiative raised $7,742, which was applied directly as bill credits to 28 families.

If you didn’t know, CEC placed a decorated Christmas tree in its headquarters and, for six weeks beginning Nov. 1, accepted donations tied to the amounts shown on the ornaments. Member-owners identified to receive assistance included:

True Human Impact
“What a fantastic tribute to the warmth and generosity of our community that the Angel Tree effort raised such a great sum,” CEC Manager of Communications Jessica Parr said. “We feel honored to support this fundraising drive, and we’re grateful that the donations had a direct, positive impact on members who are navigating life-changing hardships. We’re already discussing ideas for this and other fundraising projects for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season in 2026.”

Parr noted that community support for charitable projects sponsored by CEC has grown steadily over the past several years. This includes CEC’s charity partnership with the Roc Solid Foundation, a fundraising effort with Meals on Wheels of Suffolk & Isle of Wight, a collaboration with Lee’s Friends, and other initiatives that uplift neighbors throughout the region.

This year’s Angel Tree project received a tremendous boost from Ava Joyner, a student at Suffolk Christian Academy. Ava was one of three students who participated in CEC’s Youth Program earlier this year. During the National Youth Tour, which brings hundreds of students from co-op families to Washington, D.C., each summer, Ava was elected Virginia’s delegate to the Youth Leadership Council.

As part of her responsibilities, Ava worked with her sponsoring cooperative to support a community project. CEC asked her to fundraise for five families represented on the Angel Tree. Not only did she raise the full amount needed for those families’ utility bills, she exceeded it—raising a total of $2,505.

“Ava fulfilled her obligation as a Leadership Council delegate, and then some,” Parr said. “She and her family can be incredibly proud. She truly embodies the spirit of community that electric cooperatives value, and she is a remarkable role model for all of us.”