Community Electric Cooperative (CEC) and Prince George Electric Cooperative (PGEC) announced today they are partnering on a months-long community service project that provides emotional and material support to families whose children are afflicted with cancer.
The cooperatives are teaming up to support the Roc Solid Foundation, a Chesapeake-based nonprofit organization founded in 2009 to build hope for every child and family fighting pediatric cancer. The Foundation partners with children’s hospitals across the United States to distribute Ready Bags containing essential items to help with unexpected hospital stays when children are diagnosed with cancer. The Foundation also builds playsets for families fighting pediatric cancer.
CEC and PGEC have scheduled a Ready Bag Packing Party for October 27, during which employees from the two cooperatives will gather to pack items such as computer tablets, journals, blankets and toiletries into bags that can help families meet tangible and emotional needs during unexpected hospital stays.
The October 27 event will be the first of various events that will occur in coming months to help the Roc Solid Foundation sustain families under duress. This charitable work exemplifies one of the core values – concern for community – that is a bedrock of electric cooperative operations throughout the nation.
Approximately 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States annually. Families and businesses that wish to support this project are welcome to drop off items that can go into the Ready Bags from December 1 through December 15 in the Community Electric Cooperative office lobby in Windsor and at the Prince George Electric Cooperative office drive-through window in Waverly. A checklist of collectible items for the bags is provided on the Foundation’s website, as is an e-store for those wishing to donate items. Roc Solid’s website also has details on additional ways one can support the organization’s work.
“We have completely fallen in love with what Roc Solid does,” said Jessica Parr, CEC’s Manager of Communications. “We are honored to partner with PGEC to not only fulfill the output of our core values to our community but also to spread awareness of this amazing program.”
Crystal Johnson-Smith, PGEC’s Vice President for Human Resources, said this partnership with CEC will help strengthen the community cohesion that electric cooperatives strive to build. “It’s hard to imagine anything more cruel than pediatric cancer. The work that Roc Solid does to uplift families in their most immediate time of need is crucial for the families – sometimes with tangible items, sometimes emotionally – and it offers our employees a tremendous chance to serve a cause greater than themselves,” she said.
“We’re so grateful for the generous support from Community Electric Cooperative and Prince George Electric Cooperative. Partnerships like this help us reach more kids and send a message to each family that they are not alone as they begin this journey,” said Eric Newman, Roc Solid’s Founder and Chief Play Officer.
The Packing Party and other events will be conducted as a friendly competition between CEC and PGEC teams to see who best prepares Ready Bags and other items for Roc Solid beneficiaries. Prizes awarded to the winning teams will be provided by QDaddy’s Pitmaster BBQ of Smithfield.
Community Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Windsor, is a not-for-profit member-owned energy provider that serves nearly 12,000 homes, farms and businesses in the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex and the City of Suffolk.
Prince George Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Waverly, is a not-for-profit member-owned energy provider that serves more than 12,000 member-owners in six counties: Dinwiddie, Isle of Wight, Prince George, Southampton, Surry and Sussex.