Columbia City, IN –The cooperative spirit was high as hammers were swinging and sheets of plywood were hauled by Northeastern REMC employees to build the framework of a home in Allen County alongside Habitat for Humanity Volunteers on Co-Op Community Day.
Every October, electric cooperatives across Indiana host “Cooperative Community Day”. This year was no exception with 28 co-ops completing more than 40 projects that meets a specific need within their communities. Working side-by-side, Indiana’s electric cooperatives will demonstrate one of the core cooperative principles: concern for community. This initiative provides the electric cooperatives the opportunity to use their time, skills and expertise to make a positive impact throughout the state of Indiana.
Northeastern REMC chose to partner with Habitat of Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne to utilize the handy skills of their eight volunteers. The group of employees included workers from different departments at NREMC including the metering, operations, marketing and member services and engineering.
Under the direction of Habitat volunteers who served as crew leaders, NREMC group worked on different areas of the house to complete the frame work. The group started their morning is just an empty slab of concrete, but by lunchtime, all of the outer and inner walls were up.
During the past 35 years, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne has provided homes to more than 250 families in Allen, Huntington and Wells counties while the national chapter is working in communities across all 50 states and 70 countries around the world. Habitat builds strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.
“A co-ops reason for existing is to serve its community. Working with Habitat for Humanity is a great way to serve and make direct impact on families in our area,” said Eric Jung, CEO of Northeastern REMC. “Investing in the communities we serve is at the forefront of everything we do, and our employees take this responsibility seriously. We have no trouble getting volunteers for these types of projects.” said Jung.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity or to get involved with a local build, visit habitatgfw.com.
You can also watch this short video about our community involvement with Habitat for Humanity below.