Wired for service
NASHVILLE – 700 volunteers, 31 projects and 1,860 service hours sum up how Tennessee electric co-ops went out across the state on Thursday, Oct. 16 to make a difference through the ninth annual Tennessee Electric Co-op Day of Service.
“We sometimes call this our favorite day of the year,” said Trent Scott, vice president of communications for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “Co-op employees serve their communities every day but today is special.”
From hosting bingo at senior centers, to planting trees for an arboretum development to even assembling and delivering snack bags to first responders — the Day of Service projects reflect and put into action the seventh cooperative principle of “Concern for Community”.
“It’s inspiring to see so many come together with one purpose—to make life a little better for their neighbors,” Scott said. “Co-op people love their communities, and it shows on a day like today. The local connection we have with the people we serve makes this work personal—it’s neighbors helping neighbors in the truest sense.”
TECA spent the day volunteering at “The Store” which is a non-profit grocery store founded by Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley. “The Store” is like a food pantry in the sense that it provides free groceries to individuals and families in need. However, the customers can choose the goods that best meet their nutritional needs and personal preferences. This choice-based model reduces waste, ensures satisfaction and upholds the dignity of those served. TECA staff helped run the cash registers, bagged and sorted groceries, helped customers out the door with their items and restocked shelves.
Sponsors of the 2025 Day of Service were the Tennessee Valley Authority, Bass, Berry & Sims, Central Service Association, Silicon Ranch Corporation, Tennessee 811 and The Tennessee Magazine.
Since its inception the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Day of Service has made a significant impact across the state. Over the past nine years, the program has completed 241 projects with the help of 4,871 volunteers who have collectively contributed 12,013 hours of service. These efforts have not only improved local communities but also strengthened the bond between electric cooperatives and the people they serve.
Co-ops participating in the 2025 Day of Service and the projects they completed:
Appalachian Electric Cooperative – Volunteered at CARE Animal Rescue
Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation – Spent multiple days helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity
Gibson Electric – Helped host bingo at Obion County Senior Center, Gibson County Office on Aging, Ridgely Senior Center, Tiptonville Senior Center and Crockett County Senior Center
Holston Electric Cooperative – Assembled hygiene and winter kits at Array of Hope Homeless Center
Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative – Hosted a blood donation drive, assembled and delivered snack bags to first responders, stuffed care packages and backpacks with Child Help Task Force, sorted and distributed donations at local food bank, picked up litter in downtown Waverly and sorted and distributed donations at Rose’s Mission
Middle Tennessee Electric – Participated in a home build in Lebanon with Habitat for Humanity, helped rebuild a home in Readyville after tornado damage, set up an angel tree toy distribution with Graceworks in Franklin, hosted a school restoration project at Allendale Elementary and developed a school pollinator project at Johnson Elementary
Pickwick Electric Cooperative – Volunteered at Jesus Cares
Plateau Electric Cooperative – Planted trees to assist in the arboretum development at Oneida City Park
Powell Valley Electric Cooperative – Supported teachers and staff and local schools with an appreciation bag of goodies
Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative – Assembled birthday boxes and hygiene kits for local food bank and schools and hosted a veterans lunch
Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation – Lent a helping hand at various schools in the service area
Volunteer Energy Cooperative – Hosted food drives at Meigs County Ministries, The Caring Place, Monterey High School, Burks Elementary School and House of Hope
