current lines In this issue:
Employees Win Statewide Awards page 1
Capital Credits, Survey, Home Weatherization page 2
Christmas Card Contest, Scholarships page 3
Georgia Heat Assistance, Holiday Closures, Recipe Box page 4
Two Employees Recognized by Georgia EMC D uring Georgia EMC’s annual meeting on November 10, Tri-County EMC employees Greg Mullis and Jeremy Arant were recognized and awarded for service to the community.
nization’s mission to improve the lives of low-income residents and inspire teens to be engaged in the community. This year, the group repaired 34 homes of low-income residents.
Mullis, Senior VP of Energy Services, was named Volunteer Employee of the Year and presented the Georgia EMC 2014 Community Service and Volunteerism Award. This award is given to an employee of Georgia’s 41 EMCs that strives to fulfill the seventh cooperative principle – Concern for Community.
“With his help, we’ve been able to provide home renovations for families in our community who are unable to physically and financially afford repairs,” said Rev. Jason Wade, Associate Pastor of Gray United Methodist Church and leader of River of Life. “Many people give support through monetary donations, but Greg was willing to give up a week of work and get physically involved by leading a construction group of teens both in repairs and spiritually.”
Mullis was instrumental in introducing and launching Operation Roundup, a grant program of the Tri-County EMC Foundation that benefits community projects within the service area. In 2014, this program reached a milestone of $1,000,000 in member donations since it began in 2001. Through River of Life, a community outreach mission group, and Gray United Methodist Church, Mullis works to address poverty in Jones County, helping achieve the orga-
He also serves as Chairman of the Jones County Development Authority and was a major part of the effort to pass the Jones County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax – a tax estimated to generate nearly $700,000 over a five-year period to build sewer capabilities in the Griswoldville Industrial Park. In addition, Mullis holds seats on the Jones County Chamber of Commerce Board, the Middle Georgia Workforce Investment Board and the Mercer University College of Liberal Arts Alumni Board. Jeremy Arant, Energy Systems Analyst, was recognized with a Life Saving Award for saving two children from choking. Safety training is integral part of employee education at Tri-County, with safety training meetings held each month at the coop. In May, Arant used his yearly CPR training when his 6-year old daughter began to choke during
Greg Mullis, Senior VP of Energy Services
Jeremy Arant, Energy Systems Analyst dinner at a local restaurant. He quickly put his CPR skills to use and was able to save his daughter, but after the incident was sure to talk with Keith Brooks, Manager of Safety and Training, to review the CPR process for adults and children. “I didn’t ever want to be unprepared again in a situation like that. I was thinking of what I’d do if my son were to choke some day,” Arant said. “We spent time going over the procedure for a child.” The review of training was put to use faster than Arant anticipated. Two weeks later at a church service he noticed a boy jump down a few stairs and then grab his neck. The boy’s grandmother immediately brought him to the bathroom to get a drink, but Arant followed them. He saw the boy’s complexion began to turn blue and he quickly began to perform the Heimlich maneuver. “These situations helped me to understand the importance of being aware and prepared,” said Arant.