JACKSON EMC LINEMEN HELP BRING POWER TO
Guatemalan Vi llage
OCTOBER 2026 | IN THIS ISSUE STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED LINES HELPING LOCAL STUDENTS START STRONG THE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE: THE POWER BELONGS TO YOU
PERSPECTIVE
WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON It's hard to imagine today, but families in a remote village in Guatemala recently experienced something for the first time – flipping a switch and watching the lights come on. For most of us, turning on a light is so routine that we hardly think about it. But for those families, that simple moment represented something much bigger. It meant children could study after dark. Families could safely refrigerate food and medicine. Churches could gather in the evening. Daily life suddenly became filled with new possibilities. Knowing how that happened reminded me that, in many ways, this isn't a new story. Nearly 90 years ago, families here in Northeast Georgia experienced something very similar. When Jackson EMC was founded in 1938, much of rural Northeast Georgia didn't have electricity. Bringing power to farms and small communities wasn't considered profitable, so neighbors came together to create an electric cooperative. They believed everyone deserved access to
reliable electricity and together they built something that transformed everyday life. The first lights that came on in homes across our communities represented more than electricity. They represented opportunity. Families could preserve food. Farms became more productive. Small businesses could grow. Electricity didn't simply power homes — it helped power brighter futures. That same spirit of service recently led four Jackson EMC linemen to volunteer their time in a remote area of Guatemala, where they helped build nearly four miles of electric line to serve about 55 homes, two schools and two churches. It's easy to look at a project like that and think about poles, wire and equipment. But those four miles represent something much greater. They represent opportunity, hope and the beginning of a new chapter for an entire community. Although Guatemala and Jackson EMC's service area are separated by thousands of miles, the purpose remains the same.
At Jackson EMC, we know electricity is about much more than keeping the lights on. It's about helping families live comfortably, businesses succeed and communities thrive. Every day, our employees work to provide reliable service because they understand what's really connected to every light switch in your home. Whether restoring power after a storm here in Northeast Georgia or volunteering to help bring electricity to a village in Guatemala, our employees are guided by the same commitment to serving others. For most of us, flipping on a light switch is something we do several times every day without giving it much thought. But every now and then, it's worth remembering what it means to have the lights come on for the first time.
CHIP JAKINS, President & CEO
The Cooperative Difference:
The Power Belongs to You
October is National Co-op Month, which is a great time to celebrate what makes your Jackson EMC membership different. Jackson EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. That means you’re more than a customer — you’re a member. Being locally owned by members means we have the flexibility to focus on our community. Your cooperative is committed to serving you with reliable, affordable electricity and personalized care. Jackson EMC is part of a strong cooperative network. Together, Georgia’s electric cooperatives serve millions of Georgians across 73% of the state's land area. LEARN MORE AT JACKSONEMC.COM/CO-OP-SPIRIT.
Vol. 75. No. 10, OCTOBER 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 | October 2026
jacksonemc.com
Helping Local Students Start Strong Having everyday essentials like toothpaste, deodorant and body wash can help students feel confident at school and ready to learn.
That’s why more than 200 Jackson EMC employees worked together to pack and deliver 4,000 hygiene kits to students at 42 local schools. Employees contributed more than 350 volunteer hours sorting supplies, assembling kits and delivering them throughout Jackson EMC’s service area. For Jackson EMC intern Abraham Santos, the project brought him back to Discovery High School, where he was once a student. “Coming from a Title I school, I saw firsthand how many students came from low-income families,” Santos said. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to return to my high school and make a meaningful impact on future generations of students.” Nearly all the supplies were included in kits for local students. The few remaining supplies were donated to Street Love Ministries, a local nonprofit that helps meet the basic needs of people experiencing homelessness. The project reflects Jackson EMC’s commitment to the communities we serve. By working with local schools and organizations, our employees help meet practical needs and support students and families throughout our service area.
Your Energy Questions Answered
Q: As temperatures drop, my thermostat sometimes displays “AUX HEAT,” and it also has an “EM HEAT” setting. What is the difference? When should I use “Emergency Heat”? – Kellie, Gainesville A: That’s a timely question as cooler weather approaches. The two settings are related, but they serve different purposes. Most heatpump systems include electric resistance heaters, commonly called heat strips, to provide backup heat. Auxiliary heat comes on automatically. Your thermostat may activate the heat strips when outdoor temperatures are especially cold, while the heat pump is defrosting or when the thermostat is raised several degrees at once. Seeing “AUX HEAT” for short periods is usually normal, although heat strips use more electricity than the heat pump. Emergency heat is different. It’s a manual setting intended only for situations when the heat pump is not working properly. In most systems, switching to “EM HEAT” turns off the outdoor heat-pump unit and heats the home with the electric strips alone, which can increase energy use significantly. For the most efficient operation, keep your thermostat at a steady temperature and avoid large temperature increases. Do not switch to Emergency Heat simply because it is cold outside. Use it only if the heat pump has failed, the outdoor unit is damaged or a service technician advises you to do so. If auxiliary heat seems to run continuously during mild weather, have a qualified HVAC technician check the system. jacksonemc.com
Answered by CHRISTY QUEEN Jackson EMC Director of Residential Marketing
Send us your questions at residentialmemberservices@jacksonemc.com — your question might even appear in JEMCO News! JEMCO News | October 2026
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JACKSON EMC LINEMEN HELP BRING POWER TO
Guatemalan Vi llage
For families in the Guatemalan village of Guadalupe, flipping on a light switch for the first time was a moment years in the making — and four Jackson EMC linemen helped make it possible. Brendan Brewer, Ben Brissey, Josh Nix and Alex Solhtalab recently joined linemen from other Georgia electric cooperatives for a 15-day volunteer project to bring electricity to about 55 homes, two schools and two 4
JEMCO News | October 2026
JOSH NIX, BEN BRISSEY, BRENDAN BREWER AND ALEX SOLHTALAB jacksonemc.com
churches. Together, the volunteers built more than four miles of electric line. Getting electricity to the mountainous village wasn’t easy. Residents had installed more than 55 poles by hand before the linemen arrived. “Every pole had to be climbed,” said Brissey, a journeyman lineman in Jefferson. “Most of the places we went to, we either had to drive with a truck or a motorcycle, or we walked.” The villagers worked alongside the linemen, carrying wire, tools and equipment across the challenging terrain. Children eagerly greeted the crews each day.
“
“
From the time we pulled into the village,
the kids were just running up to us. They were just happy that we were there. JOSH NIX
Journeyman lineman in Jefferson
Many homes in Guadalupe have tin roofs and dirt floors. The volunteers installed basic outlets and switches so families could safely use electricity inside their homes. The most memorable moment came when the lines were energized. “It was very fun to go watch them flip on the light switches and watch the lights come on,” said Brewer, a journeyman lineman in Gwinnett. Residents celebrated the project’s completion with the volunteers before the crews returned home. Jackson EMC supported its linemen by coordinating travel and ensuring they had the tools and equipment needed for the project. For the four linemen, the experience reflected the same commitment to serving others that guides their work at home. “I think the reason why I wanted to go to Guatemala was the same reason I want to work at Jackson EMC,” Nix said. “I like helping people.”
The project was sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International Foundation.
Watch a video of volunteers bringing electricity to a village in Guatemala. jacksonemc.com
JEMCO News | October 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
$326,400 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded $326,400 in grants during recent meetings to nonprofit organizations.
$15,900 to Diamond in the Rough Development, Inc., Snellville, for mentoring and technology costs for its Clusters Mentoring Program for girls ages 4-18 in Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall counties. $15,000 to Area Committee to Improve Opportunities Now, Inc., Athens, for Excel Program sponsorships for low-income and first-generation college students from Barrow, Clarke, Madison and Oglethorpe counties. $15,000 to Boy Scouts of America, Jefferson, for sponsorships through its Scouting for Underprivileged Youth Program for scouts in all counties served by Jackson EMC. $15,000 to Boy with a Ball Ministries, Buford, for program sponsorships for Gwinnett County students in its Velocity Cross-Age Mentoring Program. $15,000 to Corners Outreach, Inc., Norcross, for instructor fees, assessments and supplies for its Workforce Development for Career Readiness Program for teens and adults in Gwinnett County.
$10,000 to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Gainesville, for its Stock the Shelves Program to purchase food for distribution in Hall and Lumpkin counties. $10,000 to Nobis Works, Inc. for program fees and student materials for its Early Youth Development Services Program for economically disadvantaged students with disabilities in Gwinnett County. $10,000 to Straight Street Revolution Ministries, Inc., Gainesville, for its Backpack Love Program to purchase food for families in need in Hall County. $10,000 to Streetwise Georgia, Lawrenceville, for its Streetwise Community Food Access and Distribution Program to purchase food for individuals in Gwinnett County. $7,000 to Love Your Story, Gainesville, to purchase books for its Belonging and Education Program for elementary students in Hall County. $6,000 to the Lilburn Women’s Club, for dictionaries/ reference books for third-grade students in Gwinnett County.
$15,000 to Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry for its Emergency Food Assistance Program to purchase food for those in need in Gwinnett County.
$5,000 to Best Buddies in Georgia, for program sponsorship fees for its Best Buddies Friendship and Leadership Development program for students in Gwinnett County.
$15,000 to Lindsey’s Legacy Mentorship, Inc., Jefferson, for mentor training, supplies and materials for its Mentoring Program for students in Jackson County.
$5,000 to the Dawson Community Food Bank, Inc., for its Community Food Bank Program to purchase food for families in need in Lumpkin and Hall counties.
$15,000 to Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, Norcross, for its Emergency Food Security and Nutritional Wellbeing Initiative to purchase food for those in need in Gwinnett County.
$5,000 to the Eastside Eagle Foundation, Commerce, for its Break Box Program to purchase food for families in Jackson County during school breaks.
$15,000 to New Path 1010, Inc., Bethlehem, for its Weekend Food Bag Program to purchase bags of food for the weekend for Barrow County students in need. $15,000 to North Gwinnett Cooperative, Inc., Buford, for its Family Food Program to purchase food for families in need in Gwinnett County. $15,000 to Whispering Angels Youth Ranch, Inc., Gainesville, for program sponsorships for youth in Banks, Gwinnett and Hall counties in its Healing and Hope Program. $15,000 to Young Men’s Christian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc., to provide program sponsorships for Gwinnett County students participating in its Y Explore After-school program at the JM Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA. $12,500 to the Rotary Club of Banks County, Inc., Homer, for its Food 2 Kids Program to purchase food to give to Banks County students in need. $12,000 to Chess and Community Conference, Athens, to support staff salaries for its Project Rewire Afterschool Program for students in Barrow and Clarke counties. $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens, Inc., to support staff salaries for its Teen Takeover Afterschool Program for students in Barrow, Clarke and Jackson counties. $10,000 to Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Athens, for its Food Access Initiative Program to purchase food for 6
distribution in Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
JEMCO News | October 2026
$5,000 to Fresh Films for instructor and curriculum costs for its Film and Media Center Career Pathway Program for high school students in Gwinnett County. $5,000 to Gwinnett Student Leadership Team, Inc., Suwanee, for meals at the leadership summit for students in Gwinnett County. $5,000 to Hispanic Alliance GA, Gainesville, for its Community Care and Food Access Program to purchase food for families in Hall, Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Gwinnett, Jackson and Lumpkin counties. $5,000 to Humanity First USA, Duluth, for its Food Pantry to purchase food for families in Gwinnett County. $5,000 to Louise Radloff Middle School, Duluth, for its Food Pantry to purchase food for families in Gwinnett County. $5,000 to Timothy Baptist Church, Athens, for its Food Pantry to purchase food for families in Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties. $3,000 to Franklin County Mentor Volunteer Program, Inc., Royston, for mentor training and materials for its Year of the Mentor Program for students in Franklin County.
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Winter Rates Now in Effect
Jackson EMC’s lower winter electric rates are now in effect. You can learn more about residential rates by visiting jacksonemc.com/rates.
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JEMCO NEWS
Published monthly by the Communication Department of Jackson Electric Membership Corp., 825 Buford Dr., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043. Subscription $3.50 per year as part of yearly membership. Periodicals Postage Paid at Lawrenceville, Ga., and additional mailing offices.
Editor Kerri Testement, 825 Buford Dr., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043 Owner Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, 825 Buford Dr., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043 Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities; Rural Utilities Services, 1400 Independence Ave., Washington, D.C. 20250-1500, Cooperative Finance Corporation, 2201 Cooperative Way, Herndon, Va. 20171-3025 AVG. NO. COPIES EACH ISSUE DURING PRECEDING 12 MONTHS
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224,606
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PUBLICATION NAME: JEMCO NEWS
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222,966
225,106
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222,966
225,106
99.7%
99.7%
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YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.
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STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED LINES Storms, vehicle accidents and falling trees can bring power lines to the ground. If you see a downed line, always assume it’s energized and dangerous. Staying away could save your life. Keep these safety tips in mind: Stay at least 35 feet from a downed line and anything it may be touching, including fences, vehicles, trees and puddles. Never drive over a downed power line or through standing water that may be in contact with one. If you see a downed line, report it to Jackson EMC immediately at 1-800-462-3691. Never try to move a downed power line, even if you think it’s no longer energized or you’re using a non-conductive object.
FOR MORE TIPS, VISIT JACKSONEMC.COM/SAFETY
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