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CENTRAL LINEMAN PARTICIPATES IN ENERGY TRAILS
Rain hitting a palm leaf roof was a new sound for one of Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s linemen, as he wired electricity inside a family’s home in Guatemala.
Jerry Cundiff, wired homes for electricity in Guatemala with 18 volunteers from other electric cooperatives across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Colorado through the Energy Trails program in December.
region of Alta Verapaz in northcentral Guatemala during the 14-day mission. On Cundiff’s first day, his team of four volunteers wired five homes.
“The first home was a learning experience, it was made of concrete,” Cundiff said. “The second house was a wood house, which was much better because it’s what we had tools for.” Volunteers installed breaker boxes, light sockets, outlets and switches, as well as meters on concrete poles outside of the homes.
“The people here are so nice and so appreciative of what we’re doing, they’re great to work with,” Cundiff said. The Energy Trails volunteers wired approximately 200 structures in 38 villages in the mountainous Photos provided by Jerry Cundiff and the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. Check out Oklahoma Energy Trails Facebook for more photos and details!
“The first day, we didn’t have ladders so we had to use these makeshift ladders some of the locals had,” Cundiff said. During the second day of work, Cundiff stated they had to drag the dead electrical line through the jungle and two local children helped.
“The kids here are wanting to help and the people are very nice and thankful,” Cundiff said. “It brings tears to your eyes, just having light will make a difference in their lives.”
3 FACTS ABOUT GUATEMALA According to cia.gov, Guatemala’s top exports are bananas, coffee and palm oil.
Guatemala’s Volcano Tajumulco is the highest point in Central America. Guatemala is 108,889 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Pennsylvania.
Small Change,
FEBRUARY 2024 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) James Wells, Vice President (District 6) Greg Tytenicz, Secretary/Treasurer (District 2) Randy Wedel (District 1) Sid Sperry (District 4) Ken Starks (District 5) Randy Ethridge (District 7) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
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Operation Round Up In 2006, Central started Operation Roud Up. The program allows Central members to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar as a donation to the Central Community Foundation. The maximum a member will donate is $11.88 per year, however, members make a big impact together.
Central Community Foundation The Central Community Foundation accepts grant applications from residents, organizations and nonprofits within Central’s service area. The foundation board, which is separate from Central’s board, meets bi-monthly to review applications, and Operation Round Up money is distributed upon board approval.
Community The collective impact of Central’s members is felt throughout communities within Central’s seven-county service area. Grants are given to health care, disaster relief, education, community purpose and personal need categories to ensure members’ donations make a difference in our local communities.
Want to learn more about Operation Round Up? Scan the QR code. Sign up for Operation Round Up by calling Central at 405-372-2884.
Contact Us: editor@mycentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Adult Teen Challenge
big difference 2023 in numbers
$79,825 and 54 Grants COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Allocated to
Approved For
local nonprofits and residents Within Central’s service area
Central Community Foundation Grant breakdown 63% Community Purpose 14% EDUCATION 9% Personal needs 8% Health Care 6% Disaster Relief
The Chosen House
Central Community Foundation grants are due on the 15th of every other month and are approved at the following foundation meeting. Nonprofits, organizations and individuals within Central’s sevencounty service area are eligible to apply within the five fields of interest. Learn more about the Central Community Foundation by scanning the QR code or visiting mycentral.foundation.
ICE ON POWER LINES, A WEIGHTY SUBJECT When it comes to getting electricity across power lines and into homes, ice can be a force to be reckoned with. Ice can make falling tree branches 30x heavier and much more likely to break power lines and poles. Check out more facts about ice below! ON A 300-FOOT SPAN OF 1-INCH THICK POWER LINES ⚠ 1/2 inch of ice adds 281 pounds of weight ⚠ 1 inch of ice adds 749 pounds of weight ⚠ 2 inches of ice adds 2,248 pounds of weight WHEN ICE MELTS ⚠ Melting ice can cause power outages. If ice on the bottom (neutral) line melts before the lines above, it can cause the lines to touch OTHER ICE FACTS ⚠ Damage can begin when ice exceeds 1/4 of an inch ⚠ 1/2 inch of ice can cause a line to sag up to 12 inches ⚠ Pressure can also be caused by a broken tree limb ⚠ Both ice and melting ice can cause power outages
Luther Fire Department
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Help Willie Wiredhand get to the Co-op! for sale
START HERE!
Scan the QR code to learn more
Great Plains no-till drill, 30 ft. Cat Challenger Ag 65C track tractor. Call 405-714-3422. Two adjoining graveside plots at Gracelawn Cemetary in Edmond. $1,000 each. Call 405-277-0014.
about Co-op Kids!
4 Paws Inn and Spa @4pawsinnok on Facebook and Instagram 405-338-7136 • 6304 S Perkins Rd., Stillwater stillwaterpetboardingservice.com
SUBMIT YOUR AD
youth power Energy
Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral. coop by the 5th of each month! Ads will be edited and run as space allows. rural elec tric cooperative
YOUTH POWER ENERGY CAMP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Have you ever wanted to climb an electric pole? Current and upcoming eighth-grade students have the opportunity to step into a set of lineman hooks with a summer camp experience at Youth Power Energy Camp on May 28-31.
Wannabe campers need to submit a 500-word essay on Central’s website at mycentral.coop/youth-programs on how Central helps you and your community. Applications open February 9 and close March 31.
ru r a l e l e c t r i c c o o pe r a t i ve
Campers will have the opportunity to climb a utility pole, take a ride toward the sky in a bucket truck and learn how cooperatives operate!
Central will sponsor two eighthgrade students who attend school within Central’s service area to take part in this camp for free.
Scan QR to learn more
youth power Energy
Applications due March 31 youth power Energy 4