A gray, chilly day was brightened by the promise of community growth as representatives from 10 Hill Country nonprofits visited our Johnson City headquarters Dec. 15 to receive PEC Community Grant awards totaling $40,382.
Twice each year, we award grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations in our service area through a competitive application process. The winning organizations must use the funds to complete projects that benefit our community. This round of funding was very competitive, with nearly 50 applicants.
“We take great pride in our cooperative’s values — like our members’ participation — as well as one of the most important, our concern for community,” PEC CEO John Hewa said. “We’re so proud that we’re able to help you make changes in our community.”
In years past, PEC Community Grant awards were capped at $1,000 each. This year, we were able to award grants up to $5,000, thanks to contributions from our members through the Power of Change program, in which they opted to have their electric bills rounded up to the nearest dollar for charity.
“The members’ 2 cents here, 10 cents there is what’s funding these awards today,” PEC Director of Connections and Community Engagement Trista Fugate said at the event.
Many of the winning organizations matched our awards for more than $35,000 in funding. “That means nearly $76,000 is going back into the community today because of your investment,” Fugate said.
The fall 2016 PEC Community Grants recipients are:
• Blanco Little League in Blanco, which will construct concrete walkways, ramps, railings and barriers to help promote handicapped safety and prevent erosion.
• Edwards County EMS in Rocksprings, which will fund technology for distance learning, medical records reporting and support GPS needs.
• Friends of LBJ National Historical Park in Johnson City, which will replace overhead lighting in the park’s parking area.
• Friends of the Kimble County Library in Junction, which will purchase six new library computers for public use.
• Gem of the Hills Community Center in Blanco, which will purchase A/V equipment including a projector, screen and speaker system for the center.
• Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center in Marble Falls, which will purchase energy efficient freezers for the center.
• The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country in Canyon Lake, which will add a rainwater catchment system to its external storage and classroom spaces.
• The Hill Country Senior Citizens Activity Center in Dripping Springs, which will use the funds for various technology upgrades for the center and their thrift store.
• The Old Blanco County Courthouse in Blanco, which will use funds to upgrade fire alarms for the county courthouse.
• Wimberley Adoption Group (WAG) Rescue, which will replace 16 windows at WAG Rescue Refuge and Adoption Center in Driftwood.
For more information on our community grants and Power of Change programs, visit our Community Grants page.
