months: 742,383 (September: 756,881

• SPOTLIGHT ON WARM HOMES, WARM HEARTS •

A Whale of a Donation

Ocean Ridge Charities Association, Inc. (ORCA) is a powerhouse. The more than two dozen local organizations it gives money to range from the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina and Matthews Ministry to the Brunswick County Literacy Council and the Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center. And we are so grateful that BEMC’s Warm Homes, Warm Hearts utility assistance program has also been on their list for years.

Judy Cunningham and Mary Perno, ORCA’s chief fundraisers, stopped by in January of this year to deliver a check for $10,500 to support Warm Homes, Warm Hearts, and they shared how they raised the sizable donation.

“First, we have a pretty clear mission,” said Judy. “After identifying local needs, we consolidate and maximize fundraising and volunteering efforts within our Ocean Ridge Plantation community. But we like to say we’re just a very organized group of friends and neighbors having a great time, working hard for good causes.”

“Our fundraising for Warm Homes, Warm Hearts centers around the holidays,” Mary continues. “In November, we have a craft show at our clubhouse, with all the items made by our residents — we have some very talented people! And then the first weekend in December is very busy. On Saturday we have a ‘marketplace raffle’, and residents donate something they have created or purchased — we had 35 items last year, including quilts, paintings, baked goods, and rounds of golf. And we also sell packages of luminaries, which are popular, because everyone walks or drives around that night to admire BEMC Chief Operating Officer Corey Thurlow, ORCA fundraisers Judy Cunningham and Mary Perno, and BEMC Manager of Member Engagement and Communications them.” Judy adds that Brookes Versaggi “luminaries are also on display on Sunday night, because that’s our Holiday Open House Tour, which is huge. I work with two very creative women, and they work with homeowners who are willing to open their houses and really go all out on decorating. They also borrow from other homeowners, make wreaths, and do some unique, stunning and fun decorating. They look like show homes,” continues Judy. “We make money by selling tickets, and we had 260 take the tour last year. It’s a wonderful weekend, made possible by our very giving Ocean Ridge community — and because we like to share our Warm Homes, Warm Hearts.” Thank you to Judy and Mary, everyone at ORCA, and the generous people in their community. For more information visit orcharities.org. Every year, BEMC provides up to $50,000 in matching funds for all donations from the community. The home of Wendy and Jerry Carney, ready for the Holiday For more information visit bemc.org/warm-homesOpen House Tour warm-hearts.

Watch Your 2022 Annual Membership Meeting!

The video of BEMC’s 83rd Annual Meeting held on September 24 is available for viewing at bemc.org/annual-meeting. It opens with a short video that celebrates your membership and continues with reports from our leadership team that explain the many ways your membership makes a difference in our collective quality of life. It includes a segment where your CEO and COO answer members questions. Here are some highlights:

B“ runswick Electric is the second-largest electric cooperative in North Carolina, and the 34th-largest of more than 800 in the United States. We have almost 87,000 members, and over 100,000 meters on our system which covers more than 7,100 miles of energized line. In 2021, we sold more than 1.5 billion O“ ur service territory is one of the fastest-growing areas of the country, and managing that growth is essential to maintaining reliability and kilowatt hours of electricity.” ~ Larry Fowler, Board Secretary/Treasurer controlling costs. We’re a part of a network of 26 electric co-ops across North Carolina that is collectively developing new technologies that allow us to reduce peak demand, lower our wholesale power costs, and work towards our carbon reduction targets. We’ll never compromise cost and reliability in the pursuit of lower carbon goals. And we’re doing this, together. Your membership makes a difference when you enroll in a Connect to Save program, choose the

Time-of-Use rate option, or participate in a Beat the Peak event. You’re helping to reduce peak demand and using the strength of our collective power.” ~ Josh Winslow, CEO B“ eing a member of a cooperative means that we focus on the things that are most important to you. We know you want reliable electricity at the lowest A“ llocating and retiring Capital Credits are two of the practices that distinguish cooperatives from other businesses. After expenses for furnishing possible cost — that’s a given, and that’s our top priority. Beyond that, we build programs and services designed to make your life easier and better. When it benefits you, we your electricity are satisfied, the money left over (the use the latest technologies to work toward sustainability margin) is set aside for you in the form of Capital Credits. goals, while never sacrificing affordability. As a leader in the

These credits are allocated to members each year based on energy industry, we’re focused on our mission of delivering their purchases from the cooperative.” superior value to you.” ~ Lisa Fitzgerald, Vice President of Finance ~ David Gore, Board President