Washington Youth Tour
Inspires Future Leaders AUGUST 2026 | IN THIS ISSUE ANNUAL MEETING ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED A SMART HOME TOOL FOR SAFER SCHOOL DAYS TEACHERS: INSPIRE STUDENTS WITH A BRIGHT IDEA THIS SCHOOL YEAR
PERSPECTIVE
WHY COMMUNITY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER There’s something about the start of a new school year that changes the rhythm of a community. You can tell school is back in session without looking at a calendar. The school zone lights start flashing. Morning and afternoon traffic pick up. Buses appear around every corner. Parents are checking backpacks, students are finding classrooms and teachers are putting the finishing touches on lesson plans. Even if you don’t have children in school, you notice it. At Jackson EMC, we notice it, too. Our employees live in these communities. They’re driving those same roads, cheering from the sidelines at Friday night football games and watching another generation of Northeast Georgians begin a new school year. It’s one of the reminders that we’re more than your electric cooperative — we’re your neighbors. This summer, I had the opportunity to meet the students who represented Jackson EMC on the Washington Youth Tour. Their enthusiasm, curiosity and desire to serve their communities left a lasting impression
on me. It also reminded me that backto-school season isn’t just about a new academic year. It’s another opportunity to invest in the future of our communities. Schools are more than buildings where students learn math, science and history. They’re the heartbeat of a community. They’re where friendships are formed, talents are discovered and future leaders begin to find their place in the world. The students walking through school doors this fall will one day become the nurses caring for our families, the teachers inspiring future students, the business owners creating jobs and the first responders serving our communities. Helping young people succeed isn’t the responsibility of schools alone. Teachers play a critical role, but so do families, coaches, mentors, faith leaders, neighbors and countless others who encourage students along the way. Most of us can remember someone who believed in us when we were young — a teacher, coach or community leader who encouraged us to aim a little higher. Those moments matter.
Sometimes the most important investment we can make in a young person is simply showing up. That might mean volunteering at a school event, mentoring a student, supporting a local education program or taking a moment to thank a teacher for the work they do every day. That’s why Jackson EMC is proud to support programs like Bright Ideas grants, the Washington Youth Tour and employee volunteer efforts in local schools. These are just a few of the ways we join our members in investing in the next generation. As another school year begins, I hope we all remember that education benefits every one of us. The school bell may ring for students, but its impact reaches far beyond the classroom. When we invest in young people, we strengthen our communities. That’s an investment worth making all year long.
CHIP JAKINS, President & CEO
A Smart Home Tool
for Safer School Days
Back-to-school season is a good time to review how your family stays safe at home, especially if your child arrives before you do. Especially for busy families, a smart door lock can offer more than peace of mind. Instead of keeping up with a house key that can be forgotten, misplaced or lost, your child can use a personal access code to unlock the door. Parents can also create unique codes for each family member and temporary codes for babysitters or trusted neighbors, then remove them when they’re no longer needed. EMC Security encourages families to pair smart home technology with simple safety habits. Remind children to lock the door after coming inside, call a trusted adult if something feels wrong, never open the door for unexpected visitors and know when to call 911 in an emergency. With smart home technology from EMC Security, you can help protect what matters most and give your family an added layer of comfort. Learn more at emcsecurity.com. Vol. 75. No. 8, AUGUST 2026 (ISSN 1061-5601), IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF JACKSON ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORP., 825 Buford Drive Lawrenceville, GA. SUBSCRIPTION $3.50 PER YEAR AS PART OF YEARLY MEMBERSHIP. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LAWRENCEVILLE, GA AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. Kerri Testement, Editor. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to JEMCO News 825 Buford Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
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JEMCO News | August 2026
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Annual Meeting Notice
Dear Member,
TO MEMBERS
Official notice is hereby given that the 2026 meeting of the members of Jackson Electric Membership Corporation will be held at the headquarters in Jefferson, Ga., on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
SAVE THE DATE:
Registration will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. The chairperson will call the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to:
JACKSON EMC’S ANNUAL MEETING September 17, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. Jackson EMC | Jefferson, Georgia Boxed supper, prizes and entertainment
1.
Receive reports of officers, directors and committees;
2. Elect three directors; and 3. Handle all other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The meeting will feature prizes, entertainment, a box supper, important business and other special programs. Additional details will be available in the September issue of JEMCO News and on our website, jacksonemc.com. You are invited to attend. You are requested to be present. SHADE STOREY Secretary, Board of Directors
ANNUAL MEETING ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED Karen Peck and New River, a seven-time Grammy-nominated Southern Gospel group, will perform at Jackson EMC’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 17, at the headquarters in Jefferson. Karen Peck, a resident of Dahlonega; and her husband, Rickey Gooch; and her sister, Susan Peck Jackson, formed the group in 1991. Karen and Rickey’s daughter, Kari, and their son, Matthew, perform in the group, along with Grant Gibson. Karen Peck and New River has won 10 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The group has more than 20 No. 1 hits on the gospel music charts, including “Four Days Late,” “Pray Now,” “Calling,” and “I Am Blessed.” The group has performed at The Grand Ole Opry, the Gaither Homecoming concerts, Opryland theme park, Dollywood and more. Karen has been featured in two movies, “Joyful Noise” with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, and the Christian film “Redeemed.” She was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018. Registration for the meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. that day and entertainment will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m.
jacksonemc.com
Karen Peck and New River
JEMCO News | August 2026 2025
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Washington Youth Tour
Inspires Future Leaders Jackson EMC proudly supports the Washington Youth Tour, a leadership experience that helps students grow, connect and discover how they can make a difference in their communities. This summer, five high school students from Jackson EMC’s service area joined more than 2,000 delegates from electric cooperatives across the country for an unforgettable week in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they explored some of the nation’s most historic landmarks, including the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol, where they met Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock. Just as memorable were the friendships they built with fellow delegates from across Georgia and the U.S. Through shared experiences, conversations and plenty of laughs, students formed connections that will last long after the trip ended. Delegates were selected for their academic achievement, community service and leadership potential. Jackson EMC selects four delegates each year, while children of Jackson EMC employees compete in a statewide contest. This year, Georgia EMC selected one statewide delegate from Jackson EMC.
Emma Calin, North Gwinnett High School Jabe Andrews, Banks County High School “The Washington Youth Tour really shifted my perspective on my future. It changed my career path in a big way. I thought politics were out of reach for me. Being on this trip showed me something different. It made me realize how possible it is and how important it is for people my age to step into those spaces.”
“My favorite activity on the tour was meeting with legislative staff while visiting our district representatives. Speaking with them and learning about their experiences working on Capitol Hill gave me a clearer understanding of our national government and opened my eyes to the potential of a career in D.C. Plus, the District 9 congressional staff took our group through the tunnels from the congressional offices to the Capitol and gave us autographed gallery tickets to the House of Representatives. How cool is that?!”
Jabe was selected by his fellow delegates to serve as Georgia's representative to the NRECA Youth Leadership Council.
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JEMCO News | August 2026
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Sterling Clendenning, East Hall High School “The Washington Youth Tour was incredibly unique because it truly brought together a fabulous group of motivated students across Georgia for a week in our nation’s capital. No opportunity has ever allowed me to enjoy such historically significant sites with a group of like-minded students. Everyone was genuine, real, and voracious in their desire to learn about the United States and develop great connections with other future leaders from across Georgia.”
Mary Kate Cleveland, Jackson County High School Statewide Delegate Selected by Georgia EMC “One of the biggest lessons I took away from Washington Youth Tour was the value of relationships. Meeting students from across Georgia opened my eyes to perspectives and ideas that were different from my own. Those conversations challenged me to think beyond my headspace and reminded me how important it is to listen before leading. More than anything, the week showed me that some of the greatest growth happens when we take the time to learn from others.”
Kaelyn Rhea, Jefferson High School “I had the opportunity to participate in several unique experiences within the tour, including laying the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, being nominated for Youth Leadership Council and meeting people close to my age who work in government. These experiences would not have been possible without the Washington Youth Tour and the lessons that I learned from them would have been unobtainable without this opportunity.”
jacksonemc.com
JEMCO News | August 2026
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O P E R A T I O N R O U N D U P ® : YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
$181,000 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a total of $181,000 in grants, including $167,000 to local organizations and $14,000 to individuals.
$5,000 to Family Connection-Communities in Schools of Athens, Inc., for supplies for its Communities in Schools Program for students in Clarke County.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$5,000 to Peachtree Ridge Robotics Booster Club, Suwanee, for equipment and materials to support its Robo Lions Program for Gwinnett County students.
$18,000 to Junior Achievement of Georgia, Inc. for student materials and program implementation for its JA Discovery Center in Gwinnett for students in Gwinnett County Public Schools. $14,000 to Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., Suwanee, for its Early Learning in STEM programs for students in Gwinnett County. $13,500 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, Inc., Gainesville, for literacy software and furniture for the Walters Club Literacy Lab after-school program for students in Hall County. $12,500 to Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Inc., Lawrenceville, to support purchasing a van for participants in its Young Adults Learning Skills Program in Gwinnett County. $10,000 to Adult Literacy Jackson, Inc., Pendergrass, for its GED testing program for residents of Banks, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Madison counties.
$5,000 to SISU of Georgia, Gainesville, for supplies and equipment for its sensory interactive wall for children with special needs in Banks, Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties. $4,500 to Spirit of Sharing, Inc., Winder, for instructional technology equipment to support its Spirit Academy Program providing an early literacy class for Barrow County children.
Individual Grant Recipients: $5,000 for an HVAC system for a Gwinnett County senior citizen. $5,000 for an HVAC system for a Gwinnett County resident. $4,000 for service dog training for a single mom in Gwinnett County.
$10,000 to Books for Keeps, Athens, to purchase books for its spring book distribution for the Stop Summer Slide program for residents of Clarke County. $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Winder-Barrow, for staff salary support for its Goals for Graduation after-school program. $10,000 to Casa De Amistad, Inc., Athens, for program expenses for its Pathways to GED program for residents of Clarke, Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, Madison and Oglethorpe counties. $10,000 to Ferst Readers, Oakwood, for annual membership sponsorships for Hall County children in its Ferst Readers Hall County Program. $10,000 to Reach Out and Read Georgia for books and provider training for its Powering Early Literacy Program for children in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties. $8,000 to the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation, Inc. for GED educational fees and pre/post training expenses for its #AshtonSentUs program for women in Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties. $8,000 to Gainesville/Hall County Alliance for Literacy, for testing and training fees and materials for its Basic Literacy/ GED/IET (Integrated Education Training) program for Hall County residents. $7,500 to Lekotek of Georgia to provide sponsorships, support new program participants, and provide adaptive toys/technology for its Play/Learning Program at Gwinnett serving children with disabilities and families in Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties. $6,000 to On the Stage Children’s Theatre, Inc., Sugar Hill, for book distribution for the Very Hungry Caterpillar Touring Puppet Show: School Access Initiative Program for children in Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties. 6
JEMCO News | August 2026
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT RECENTLY RECEIVED AN $18,000 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION GRANT FOR ITS JA DISCOVERY CENTER IN GWINNETT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO APPLY FOR A JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION GRANT, JACKSONEMC.COM/FOUNDATION jacksonemc.com
STREETWISE GEORGIA RECEIVES COBANK GRANT TO HELP MORE FAMILIES Streetwise Georgia has received a $15,000 grant from the CoBank Sharing Success Program after being nominated by Jackson EMC. The grant will help the Lawrenceville nonprofit improve its warehouse operations, allowing it to distribute food more efficiently and serve more families in need. Streetwise Georgia provides mobile food distribution, clothing assistance and other programs that offer practical support and hope to neighbors facing difficult circumstances. By improving its warehouse operations, the organization will be able to expand its impact and better meet the growing needs of the community. Jackson EMC awarded Streetwise Georgia a $50,000 donation in 2025 to provide emergency food assistance to needy families. This initial contribution made Streetwise eligible for a matching grant from the CoBank Sharing Success Program. CoBank is a national cooperative bank serving industries and utilities in rural areas of all states. Jackson EMC employees also regularly volunteer with Streetwise Georgia, helping support food distribution efforts and the organization's mission of serving local families. It's one of the many ways the cooperative's team lives out its commitment to strengthening the communities it serves. Since 2017, Jackson EMC has nominated 12 local nonprofits for a CoBank grant, resulting in $85,000 in awards.
FEATUR ED REC IPE WINNE RS WIL L RECEIV E A $20 0 GROCE RY STO RE GIFT CA RD A HAND M ND A IXER
MEMBERS MAKE IT DELICIOUS
Zucchini Bread INGREDIENTS: 3 eggs, well beaten 1 cup light brown sugar 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tsp. vanilla flavoring 1 cup oil 3 cups flour, sifted 1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 2 cups zucchini, grated and unpeeled (smaller zucchini work best) 1 cup chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS: Mix eggs, sugars, vanilla and oil in a large bowl. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt to the mixture. Add zucchini and pecans. "I’ve never particularly liked zucchini bread until a friend shared this recipe. The brown sugar and the cinnamon give it a wonderful flavor. You really don’t taste the zucchini.”
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. For muffins, grease or spray tin and fill each cup ½ to ¾ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. For a tube pan, grease and flour plan before filling with mixture. Bake for an hour and 20 minutes. For two loaf pans, grease or spray pans before filling with mixture. Bake for an hour or until the center is done.
-OPAL WADE, Winder
SEND US YOUR BEST RECIPES: RECIPES@JACKSONEMC.COM OR MAIL TO: COOPERATIVE COOKING | JACKSON EMC | PO BOX 38 | JEFFERSON, GA 30549 FIND RECIPES AT JACKSONEMC.COM/RECIPES. jacksonemc.com
JEMCO News | August 2026
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YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.
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EMC SECURITY
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Teachers: Inspire StudentS
WITH A BRIGHT IDEA THIS SCHOOL YEAR A new school year is filled with fresh possibilities. Sometimes, all it takes is one creative idea to spark a student's curiosity, build confidence or inspire a career path. Jackson EMC's Bright Ideas grant program helps middle school teachers bring those ideas to life by providing grants of up to $2,000 for innovative classroom projects. Whether it's a hands-on science experiment, a creative art project or a new way to teach math or history, Bright Ideas grants help create learning experiences that can make a lasting difference for students — and our community. Since 2014, Jackson EMC has invested more than $700,000 in Bright Ideas grants to support innovative classroom projects that wouldn’t be funded otherwise.
Apply for Bright Ideas Grant Who: State-certified sixth-eighth grade teachers in Jackson EMC’s service area LEARN MORE BY SCANNING THIS QR CODE
Deadline: September 8 Where: Online at jacksonemc.com/brightideas