Glades Electric Cooperative Community Concern for Community

Concern for Community

At Glades Electric Cooperative, we take pride in living out the cooperative principle of Concern for Community. We support school athletics, community events, educational programs, and local organizations, serving the Florida Heartland with more than just electricity. Through our contributions, we’re proud to embody the spirit of Neighbors Working for Neighbors.

Local Families Receive Thanksgiving Support Through Operation Round Up Donations

HSCO Major Darin Hood delivers a Thanksgiving meal thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Operation Round Up participants.

At least 25 families in Highlands County enjoyed a brighter Thanksgiving this year thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Glades Electric Charitable Trust to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.

Funded by Glades Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up® program, the grant provided complete Thanksgiving meals—including turkeys and pumpkin pies—for “Little Brothers,” “Little Sisters,” and their families. Meals were thoughtfully packaged based on family size to ensure each household received what they needed to celebrate.

“This generous donation from Glades Electric Cooperative means so much to our organization and the families we serve,” said Danielle Daum, Director of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. “For many of these families, this will make the difference between worrying about how to celebrate and being able to simply enjoy a special holiday together.”

The effort was made even more meaningful through strong community partnerships. Deputies from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office delivered the meals directly to families, helping build positive connections and trust within the community. Additional support came from the Mason G. Smoak Foundation Youth Leadership Class and the Sebring Chamber Junior Ambassadors, who assisted with collecting nonperishable food items.

Operation Round Up allows Glades Electric members to round up their monthly electric bills to the next dollar, with the extra change funding local charitable initiatives. Since 1999, the program has contributed nearly $1.3 million to individuals and organizations across Florida’s Heartland.

Through small monthly contributions, Glades Electric members continue to make a big impact—helping neighbors in need and bringing communities together, especially during the holiday season.

Operation Round Up Grant Brings Free Play & Learning to Local Families

Children’s Museum of the Highlands Executive Director Kelly Dressel is surrounded by kids participating in the Third Thursday free admission program supported through Operation Round Up donations.

At Glades Electric, we believe small change can make a big difference. Through our Operation Round Up program—administered by the Glades Electric Charitable Trust—members round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, and those pennies add up to meaningful community impact.

This summer, the Children’s Museum of the Highlands received a $2,500 Operation Round Up grant to support their Third Thursday program, which offers free admission once a month and opens the door to unique play and learning opportunities for all families in our community.

The Children’s Museum of the Highlands is dedicated to creating a safe, interactive space for children ages 1–12 to explore, imagine, and discover. Through hands-on exhibits and engaging programs, the museum helps kids grow their curiosity, develop their imagination, and learn that education can be fun!

Thanks to the generosity of our members who participate in Operation Round Up, programs like this can thrive—bringing joy, creativity, and educational opportunities to local children.

Small Change Helps Okeechobee Healthy Start Safe Sleep Program

Okeechobee Healthy Start staff gathered to accept the $3,500 Operation Round Up grant to support their Safe Sleep education program.

Our commitment to the community goes beyond providing power—it’s about empowering lives. That’s why the Glades Electric Charitable Trust was proud to support Okeechobee Healthy Start with a $3,500 Operation Round Up grant for their Safe Sleep education program. This important initiative teaches new parents how to create safe sleep environments for their infants and provides Pack ‘N Play beds to families in need. By helping ensure every baby has a safe place to sleep, we’re investing in the health and safety of our youngest neighbors.

Thanks to our members who participate in Operation Round Up and made this grant possible. Operation Round Up is a simple way for members to make a big difference. By choosing to round up your monthly electric bill to the next dollar, those few extra cents go directly toward supporting local nonprofits and families facing unexpected hardships. Together, we’re neighbors helping neighbors, one small act of kindness at a time.

Operation Round Up Donations Support Holiday Meals for Seniors

Debbie Slade and Brad Stoll with Nu-Hope Elder Care Services and their bags of holiday meal supplies for seniors ready for distribution.

Thanks to donations from members who participate in Operation Round Up, a $3,500 grant was awarded to Nu-Hope Elder Care Services in October 2024 to provide “Heartland Holiday Baskets for Seniors”.

Glades Electric Mini-Grants Fund Enhanced Learning Projects for Students

Lake Placid Middle School teacher Stacy Rockwood received a $1,500 mini-grant from Glades Electric to support her project to improve student success in math via enhanced decoding skills for word problems.

In the fall of 2024, Glades Electric awarded $3,000 in mini-grants to teachers in Highlands and Okeechobee counties via the Education Foundation of Okeechobee and the Highlands County Education Foundation. These funds are matched through resources available to each foundation, expanding their impact on student learning. Glades Electric is committed to supporting and enhancing education throughout our communities.

Inspiring Futures: Glades Electric Connects with Students at Career Fair

Students connect with GEC lineman Blake Prescott at the career fair.

Each spring, Glades Electric proudly takes part in the Highlands County Career Fair, connecting with high school students to spark their interest in future opportunities. This event allows students to engage with our team and explore the diverse career paths available within our cooperative. Our goal is to inspire them to discover a future where they can thrive and maximize their unique strengths.

Glades Electric Employees Volunteer for the 2023 United Way Day of Caring

Glades Electric employees from Lake Placid and Moore Haven volunteered to spruce up Camp Sparta for the 2023 Day of Caring.

A team of 10 Glades Electric employees volunteered at Camp Sparta for the United Way of Central Florida’s Day of Caring on April 19, 2023 to help beautify the camp’s grounds ahead of the summer season. Glades Electric is pleased to join with many other businesses throughout Highlands County for this day of service for our community’s non-profits. Volunteering at this Day of Caring supports our Heartland residents and helps meet a wide variety of needs.

GEC employees added fresh mulch to the playground area at Camp Sparta, a 36-acre Christian camp on Lake Huckleberry, which offers boating, tubing, kayaking, beach volleyball, paintball, basketball, and other activities. They also mulched around buildings and trees to prepare for the busy summer filled with campers. In addition, they painted doors on cabins, pressure washed buildings and trimmed trees.

United Way’s Day of Caring is a single day of community outreach. This year, 19 organizations with 250 volunteers participated to complete 20 projects in Highlands County.