Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 15

by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop

B.I.C. was originally founded more broadly with the idea
of giving gifts to children in the area, but narrowed its focus
to directly impact children who might need it the most, ache holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy for
cording to Mary Beth Strode, who is a volunteer with B.I.C.
children everywhere. But not every child is on equal
Mary Beth connected B.I.C. and the electric cooperatives
footing. Thanks to electric cooperative employees
when her late husband, Dan, was the CEO at Ralls County
and board members in northeast Missouri, that gap
Electric Cooperative. Dan championed the program at the
between the haves and have-nots is narrowing.
cooperative and paved the way for others to contribute.
Palmyra-based Missouri Rural Electric Cooperative joins
neighboring Ralls County Electric Cooperative every year
" We saw a need in the community and wanted to help
in raising funds for Best Interest of the Children (B.I.C.).
out, " Mary Beth says. " The co-ops started to get involved
The program ensures that foster children from Ralls,
as well as numerous other donations came in throughout
Marion and Monroe counties have a bit more holiday cheer
the area. "
every December with a holiday party, gift and ornament.
The program beneﬁts more than 200 children in the
The funds are
tri-county area. Matt
raised from emsays that impact in
ployee donations and
the counties is somematched by the Misthing the cooperative
souri Rural Board
prides itself on.
of Directors.
" We are involved
Missouri Rural
in our community, "
CEO/GenMatt says. " We're ineral Manager
vested in the betterMatt Hudson
ment of our commuﬁrst learned of
nity through reliable
B.I.C. while he
electricity and other
was an employee
means such as this.
at Ralls County
This is just another
Electric.
way our employees
photo courtesy Missouri Rural Electric Cooperative
" I just knew from
and board can give
our involvement in
back. "
The staff and board of directors of Missouri Rural Electric Cooperative in Palmyra bands
the program that
Once the gifts are
together yearly to raise money to help purchase Christmas gifts to area foster children.
it was a good thing
purchased, the foster
for our area, " he says. " When I came to Missouri Rural I
children gather for a holiday party in December. Mary Beth
understood that it was a great pathway for our employsays the party is one the attendees won't soon forget, with
ees and the cooperative to make a difference in our
hundreds of children gearing up to open their gift.
communities and brighten up Christmas for kids
" It's a madhouse, " Mary Beth says with a laugh. " When
who need it. "
I went they had a Santa for the kids to meet along with
their gift and ornament. It was really nice and memorable. "
Along with their support of B.I.C., Missouri Rural's
employees support the local United Way through donations
withdrawn from their paychecks. " That money helps fund
a whole bunch of different things in our area, " Matt says.
" We realize that there are people who might not have it as
good as us, and this is just a small way to help out. "
Helping local nonproﬁts in need is nothing new for Missouri's electric cooperatives. These co-ops and their boards
know it is time, money and effort that will help make their
communities better.
Mary Beth points out who it helps might be the most
important reason to give.
" It's money well spent, " Mary Beth says. " I remind
people and the co-ops that this is
an important cause. These kids
didn't do anything wrong. They
didn't ask to be taken from their
Palmyra
parents or have this kind of hardship in their childhood. They need
a little extra special attention and
care. That's what this is meant for.
To make sure they aren't falling
through the cracks. "

DECEMBER 2020 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Rural Missouri - December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - December 2020