Join Login Search
For Electric Cooperative Members
For Electric Cooperative Members
Co-op People

Texans Tops in Touchstone Energy Contest

Volunteers from Medina EC and Sam Houston EC are honored

Three Texas electric co-op members placed in the nationwide #WhoPowersYou contest, established by Touchstone Energy in 2016 “to honor inspirational people in co-op communities—the people who power our lives.”

Grand prizewinners John and Debbie Southwell of Medina EC founded Helping Abused and Neglected Kids after volunteering as Court Appointed Special Advocates and discovering that some children’s basic needs were not being met. They won $5,000. 

“John and Debbie have done so much work for so many area children,” said Mark Rollans, Medina EC CEO. “Every penny of this prize money will go back into our community.”

Ray Gearing from Sam Houston EC, a top-10 finisher, founded his area’s Habitat for Humanity chapter; founded R.E.A.D. to provide books to children; and helped establish an educational program about the dangers of methamphetamines. He won $150.

Sam Houston EC congratulated Gearing, saying, “Your lifetime of service represents the epitome of what #WhoPowersYou is all about.”