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Helen Kilgore, pictured on our cover as an EMT, is pictured in her costume as she leads a tour through an 18th century home at the Apple River Fort and Interpretive Center, where she spends much of her free time. Story by Jack Halstead Alan Wattles is in an un usual situation. As the time for a cancer walk draws near, instead of sitting at his desk as manager of Clay Electric Co-operative, Flora, he's 30 feet up in a bucket truck, hanging a banner to announce the event. A few weeks later, he may be "up in the air" again, helping string fireworks for the small central Illinois town's Fourth of July fireworks display. Even so, Wattles plays down his part in such activities. "I don't always do this kind of thing," he says. "We have linemen who do it, too. When we're asked to do a volunteer job, it just goes to the person who seems most appropriate and available at the time. In addition to this kind of work, we have employees who walk in cancer fundraisers and take part in other, similar activities." Wattles and other Illinois coop personnel from CEOs to the part-time interns, are part of a rural tradition that's finally spreading to the other parts of the country. They give back to the community. It isn't often that rural areas are on the leading edge of a trend, but they are now. A recent newspaper article noted that Americans tend to swing to and from volunteering in cycles, and that they strayed away some time ago. "A new cycle of volunteering is about to begin," it said. Part of the reason for the return to one-on-one help is that it is just now being realized that massive federal giveaway programs don't work. Interestingly, two big government programs that did work, magnificently, were self-help programs. One was the GI Bill of Rights, that provided educational funding for veterans, and the other was the Rural Electrification Act, which began with a great deal of volunteer activity. In the early days of the program, volunteer canvassers, scoured the countryside looking for prospective members, 10 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING AUGUST 2000
while local farmers helped the construction crews work on the new, un-energized lines. Over the years, and without a great deal of fanfare, co-ops have continued giving back, and have encouraged their employees to do so. Illinois electric co-ops have been involved in many ventures when a need existed and no one else stepped up to fill it. Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative looked on for a few years as several organizations were formed to deliver water to rural areas. Each took a tentative toedip into the water business, then folded. Finally, the co-op's leaders decided to form SouthWater, a wholly-owned subsidiary. Shelby Electric Cooperative was a major catalyst in the effort to get Lincoln Prairie Water District off the ground, and Norris Electric lent many a helping hand as EJ Water in Dieterich struggled to get going. EJ Water is now a thriving business. Other co-ops have worked with rural water districts whose proposed service territories fairly closely matched those of the co-op. But while businesses were helping other businesses, co-op employees were routinely doing what co-op employees routinely do: they were helping out as needed.
Helen Kilgore, billing supervisor at Jo-Carroll Electric Cooperative in Elizabeth, has been a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for several years, and she is involved in the implementation, construction and completion of the Apple River Fort and Interpretive Center. She works with the Chicago-Great Western Railroad site and Museum, through the Elizabeth Historical Society, of which she is president. Headquartered in Fairfield, at the other end of the state, Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative employees keep busy, too. Richard Attebery, work order engineer, is a volunteer fireman for the village of Geff, and is on the board of trustees of that town. In his spare time, he serves as a member of the school board of the Geff Elementary School. Cathy Barnfield, cashier, serves as a 4-H leader, overseeing the activities of the Wranglers Horse Club, an organization she started several years ago for kids who have horses. Each year she takes about 20 youths to Springfield so they can show their horses and spend a week living in a horse barn. Mike Richardson, line foreman, spent 17 years on the Geff School Board. "I finally got out of it," he says, "because I thought it was time for someone else to have a say in how the schools are run." Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Mt. Vernon, is deeply involved in volunteer activities, often making building facilities available. Many of the co-op's efforts date back to when the late Jim Hinman was manager. AUGUST 2000 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 11
"Jim wanted us to raise funds for the Youth to Washington tour," says Helen Mullins, administrative assistant, "and Marcia Scott, who's our current manager, came up with the idea of a craft fair at the co-op office. "Employees help set up before the fair, and some of them bake some 100 pies to be sold during the event. Co-op employees sell refreshments, and the event draws exhibitors and customers from miles around." The co-op and its employees have also given almost $49,000 back to the community. The money goes, largely, to the Red Cross, DARE, Angels on Assignment, the Home Health Hospice Group, and Habitat for Humanity. Tri-County organizes an annual blood drive at the office, and often lends bucket trucks and volunteer crews to put up banners, Christmas lights and lights at ball fields. A neighboring co-op, Southwestern Electric Cooperative in Greenville, has a slew of volunteering employees and directors. Bob Heckert, assistant construction foreman and Randy Wolf, director, are active in the Fayette Water Co., in the eastern part of the co-op's area.
Sandy Nevinger, director of member services and public relations; and Max Kaegy, retired staking engineer, were incorporators of the Bond-Madison Water District, a rural water system covering the western portion of Southwestern's service area. Kaegy, a long-time employee before his retirement, sums up the feelings of many volunteers when he says, "I should have kept my job at the co-op, because I'm working more and harder now than I did then!" Still, workers keep giving. Dave Barbey, polyphase tester/lineman, serves as president of the Kingsbury Park District and is actively involved in his community and church. He also teaches first aid and CPR classes. Rande Gibbs, journeyman lineman, is a volunteer fireman and teaches first aid and CPR. Karen Watson, work order coordinator, and Debbie Whicker, office secretary, are hospital auxiliary volunteers. They're also co-captains of the co-op's Live Wires Relay for Life team. Sixteen co-op employees are members of that team. Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, Winchester, has a "Members' Fund," in which members, on a voluntary basis, allow the co-op to round up their bill to the nearest dollar. The money is distributed throughout the six-county area for charities. The fund com- 12 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • AUGUST 2000 mittee decided to start by having a drawing at the 2000 annual meeting, and members attending were encouraged to put the name of their favorite charity in a box dedicated to their director districts. A random drawing then decided which charity was to receive their share of the $11,000 that was to be given out. The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC), the Springfield-based service organization representing the electric co-ops of the state, is home to several volunteers. Kevin Bernson, coordinator of video production, helps with the Big Brother-Big Sister program, and has spent a lot of his free time making recruitment videos for that organization. He is also a Big Brother, and spends time with a young man who lacks a father figure at home. Like many volunteers, Kevin remarks that volunteering is not a one-way street. "I always emphasize that I'm not just giving in this situation," Kevin says, "because I get a lot back, too. I enjoy just hanging out with my little brother, and while I'm kind of mentoring him, I'm enjoying his companionship." Mike Henry, comptroller, is a blood donor. He's given some eight and one-half gallons since he started giving in college, 18 years ago. That translates out to some 66 jabs in the arm! Don Van Houten, field services representative, is also a long-time donor. A recent Blood-mobile visit to the AIEC resulted in 12 pints being donated. Don Wood, director of government relations, is a Hospice volunteer, and helps with persons who have been diagnosed as terminal, and their families. Kara Henning, graphic designer, is deaf. She helps teach classes at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in Sherman, where she worships. Speaking in American Sign Language (ASL), she notes that members of the congregation wanted to take instruction so they could communicate with her and other members of her family. "People think sign language is interesting because it's graceful and beautiful," she says, "and I enjoy helping them learn." Co-op volunteers have helped restore old buildings and re-brick vintage streets, and have stepped in just about anywhere help has been needed. Many of them emphasize that they get as much — or more — out of their volunteering as they put into it. Even though electric co-op people are doing a lot of volunteer work, there's plenty to go around, and we'd like to urge co-op members to get involved, too. Such charities as Habitat for Humanity are looking for volunteers, and literacy teachers always seem to be in short supply. There is a need in many areas for Big Brothers-Big Sisters. Many volunteer fire departments are short of money and help, and nearly any restoration effort involving old buildings could use more helping hands. While the United Nations has declared 2001 to be the International Year of Volunteers, you can get the jump on them, as rural people always have when it comes to volunteering. See our sidebar for ideas on how you can get involved. You'll be glad you did!
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