Hot Watts December 2019

Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.

DECEMBER 2019

H T WATTS

WATTS INSIDE | OPERATION ROUND UP ANNUAL GIVING IMPACT; SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AVAILABLE AND MORE!

www.cooksonhills.com | 1

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 800-328-2368 Branch Office PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 918-775-2211 Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kenneth Kelley, President Joe Ogle, Vice President Theron Croisant, Sec-Treas Rocky Woods, Sr., Trustee John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Ronnie Pevehouse, Trustee

District 5 District 6 District 2 District 1 District 3 District 4 District 7

STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer Jason Fontaine, Director of Engineering Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations Eric Johnson, Director of Operations—Sallisaw Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services

Russell V. Barber, General Counsel Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article.

Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)

If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.

2 | November 2019

CHEC to give away $2,000 in scholarships to high school seniors Four high school seniors from across CHEC’s service area will win $500 scholarships next spring, and now is the time to apply.

Those eligible to apply must have parents or guardians who are members of Cookson Hills, demonstrate good character and citizenship, possess an ambition to obtain further education, hold a grade point average of 2.0 or better and have a financial need.

The college or technical school for which applicants are pursuing must be a state accredited school offering an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.

CHEC awards scholarship money in two installments: once upon ensuring student is enrolled in at least 12 academic hours per semester, and once when the student shows his/her first semester grades to be a minimum of 2.0 grade point average.

Scholarship applications may be obtained at www.cooksonhills.com or by calling 1-800-328-2368. Applications must be submitted along with two letters of recommendation by March 13, 2020 to Scholarship Committee, Cookson Hills Electric Co-op, Attn: Felicia Wixom, P.O. Box 539, Stigler, OK, 74462.

Light up someone’s Christmas with your generosity Feeling generous this holiday season? You can help pay a neighbor, family member or friend’s electric bill!

If you are looking to lessen the burden an electric bill might provide this season, call us at 1-800-3282368 or submit the Contact Us form at www.cooksonhills.com. Please provide the name and address (if possible) of the person for whom you would like to pay their bill.

CHEC offices will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 to celebrate Christmas. Please call 1-800-328-2368 to report any power outages or safety hazards that may occur.

Application for the Cookson Hills Electric Scholarship Name___________________________________________________________________ Social Security #_______________________ Telephone #________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________ City________________________________State_________________Zip Code________ Parents’ (guardians’) name(s)________________________________________________ Cookson Hills Electric Account Number_______________________________________ Number of children at home or in college______________________________________ Family income last year (check one):

Below $50,000 Above $50,000

GPA Score______________________

ACT Score____________________________

Currently attending school at________________________________________________ Current Grade Level ___________________ Graduation Year ____________________ List your involvement in school, community and vocational groups. Also include any work experience: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ In 75-100 words tell why you are applying for the scholarship and share your goals and ambitions: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ List scholarships you have earned and their value: _______________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Choice of Schools:________________________________________________________ Note: Please attach two letters of recommendation.

www.cooksonhills.com | 3

CHEC board of trustees appoints Dart Drummonds to vacancy The CHEC board of trustees at a special meeting in November appointed Dart Drummonds of Keota to the district 4 vacancy.

“We feel very confident Dart will serve the members in his district well,” said Kenneth Kelley, CHEC board president.

Energy Efficiency

Tip of the Month Trim your holiday energy costs by choosing energy efficient LED lights! LED holiday lights use less energy and can last up to 40 seasons.

They’re also easier to install – you can connect up to 25 LED strings without overloading a wall socket!

Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy

4 | November 2019

CHEC Foundation grants over $72,000 in 2019 through Operation Round Up If you are one of the thousands of CHEC members who round up your electric bill each month, thank you. You have helped the CHEC Foundation have a significant impact throughout our service area in 2019.

Below is a list of the organizations you have impacted and the needs you have helped meet with the change collected from simply rounding up your bills in 2019: • American Red Cross home fire campaign • Boys and Girls Club of Sequoyah County • Rural Fire Departments (various departments) for equipment • Catholic Charities • Libraries • Food Pantries

• Meals for kids programs • Backpack programs for kids • 4-H programs • Historical societies • Angel tree program • Countywide thanksgiving dinners • Supplies for quilts made for children/emergency situations • Assisted families of burnouts

The Cookson Hills Electric Foundation thanks all participating members for their generosity. Contact us at 1-800-328-2368 or submit the Contact Us form at www.cooksonhills.com if your bill is not rounded up to the nearest dollar and you would like to sign up, or if you are in need and would like to submit an application.

Looking to give a little extra this holiday season and keep your dollars local? Consider making a donation to the Cookson Hills Electric Foundation — remember, all donations are tax-deductible.

While the change you donate may be small, collectively, it adds up to make a difference in the communities we serve.

Please excuse the temporary mess in our Sallisaw office as we work to make our branch office lobby more secure and functional.