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The
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Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 69
June 12, 2026
Cotton Electric Journeyman Lineman TJ James high-fives an athlete as they cross the finish line. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.
Cotton Electric Meter Shop Foreman — Meter Data Analyst Sam Gonzalez watches as athletes sprint toward the finish line. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.
NUMBER 10
Cotton Electric Journeyman Lineman TJ James cheers on an athlete as they run their race. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.
Community power in action
By Annabelle Blasius Across Oklahoma, a community comes together to celebrate more than a competition; they celebrate inclusion, achievement and perseverance. Employees and members from cooperatives around the state volunteer at the Special Olympics Oklahoma (SOOK) annual event in Stillwater. This year, Meter Shop Foreman — Meter Data Analyst Sam Gonzalez and Journeyman Lineman TJ James represented Cotton Electric Cooperative by volunteering at the Games and cheering on athletes. The first Special Olympics event in Oklahoma took place at the University of Tulsa in 1969. Three years later, SOOK was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, governed by a statewide Board of Directors and authorized and accredited by Special Olympics Inc. The organization supports citizens with intellectual disabilities. Today, SOOK benefits more than 1,200 participants, all of whom are supported by countless volunteers at events year-round. The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) is one of the largest volunteer groups at the Games each year, with more than 140 individuals participating. For more than 27 years, members, employees, retirees and directors from electric cooperatives across Oklahoma have come together to volunteer and serve their communities. The SOOK Summer Games are held in May in Stillwater at various locations, including Oklahoma State University. Bowling, golf and power-
Power Cost Adjustment Calculated The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after June 1, 2026, is $0.02574 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kWh, this will amount to a charge of $33.46 on the June bill.
lifting are just a few of the sports in which athletes compete during the week. Gonzalez and James volunteered at the track and field events, where they handed out number and placement cards before and after events while cheering on and encouraging athletes as they ran their races. Gonzalez completed his second year volunteering at the Games, while James wrapped up his fourth. Despite their different tenures, both men shared the same appreciation for the athletes’ strength and determination. “My favorite moment from the week was seeing the excitement on the athletes’ faces even when they got eighth place,” Gonzalez said. “No matter the outcome, they were just happy to be there competing.” James shared a similar memorable moment from the week, noting how much he enjoyed seeing the athletes’ competitive spirit. The sense of competition added to the excitement and atmosphere of the Games. Both Gonzalez and James shared the experience with their families, who also volunteered at SOOK. Gonzalez valued the opportunity for his oldest son to interact with the athletes and learn from their resilience. He emphasized the importance of his children being comfortable around individuals with functional needs, noting that they are no different from anyone else and offer valuable lessons in strength, kindness and perseverance. “Not everyone is around people with special needs everyday so they don’t know how to react,” James said. “Anyone with special needs will tell
May 2026 Temperature Extremes Day High Low 1 70 49 2 79 43 3 83 45 4 88 53 5 75 51 6 69 48 7 77 42 8 86 46 9 86 55 10 67 55 11 78 50 12 84 50 13 90 58 14 91 65 15 93 67
Avg. 60 61 64 71 63 59 60 66 71 61 64 67 74 78 80
Day High Low Avg. 16 88 72 80 17 87 70 79 18 92 74 83 19 79 55 67 20 77 55 66 21 75 62 67 22 83 61 72 23 83 61 72 24 87 64 76 25 88 61 75 26 86 63 75 27 84 65 75 28 90 62 76 29 95 67 81 30 92 70 81 Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/ 31 98 69 84 Average Daily High: 84 Average Daily Low: 58
you they don’t want special treatment; they just want to be treated normally. That’s why I like going and being there to support them.” A new addition James noticed this year was Unified athletes competing in relay events. Unified Sports brings together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team. By training and playing together, the program creates opportunities to build friendships and foster greater understanding. During the SOOK Summer Games, Unified athletes competed in the 400-meter relay, with teams made up of two athletes with intellectual disabilities and two without. Their participation added energy to the event and encouraged teamwork and determination among all runners. For both men, SOOK is more than just an opportunity to give back to the community; it’s a chance to learn from the commitment and determination of the athletes. Gonzalez and James plan to continue volunteering for years to come.
Top to bottom: Cotton Electric Employees Sam Gonzalez and TJ James volunteered at the 2026 Special Olympics Oklahoma, representing Cotton Electric Cooperative. To learn more about supporting SOOK through volunteering, donations or other opportunities, visit sook.org. Cooperative members and employees interested in volunteering in the future can sign up at oaec.coop.
Sam Gonzalez (top left) and family volunteer at the annual SOOK track and field events. Photo courtesy of Sam Gonzalez.
Did You Know? Cotton Electric Cooperative offices will be closed July 3 for Independence Day. Emergency calls with be answered at 580-875-3351 or 800-522-3520.
Contact Us
Do you have a story idea for The Current, or do you need to place an ad? If so, let us know. We can be reached at 580-875-3351 or by email at TheCurrent@ cottonelectric.com. You can also drop us a line at Cotton ElecThe next issue of The tric Current, 226 N. Current should arrive in Broadway, Walters, OK mailboxes July 17, 2026. 73572.
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