Classroom Grants again available to educators
Teachers across the nation often struggle with tight budgets and not having the funds available to accomplish specific tasks or projects.
Fortunately, educators at schools in the Mohave Electric Cooperative service area enjoy the benefits of the cooperative model. Among its seven core principals lies a concern for community.
This principal gave rise to the Classroom Grants program 25 years ago, currently providing 18 educators an opportunity to receive a $200 grant to help fund expanded classroom learning opportunities from grades kindergarten through 12.
“We’re not just an electric utility, we’re a part of the community,” said Terry Puryear, public affairs coordinator at MEC. “Classroom Grants is just one of the many programs MEC has in place to benefit its members.”
Interested educators need to apply by 5 p.m., March 13. Grants will be awarded for projects based on need, creativity, benefit to students, age appropriateness, and integration with class curriculum.
The funds may be used to purchase materials, supplies, equipment, or other essential items to support special projects. Educators should provide a short description of need, how the funds will benefit students, and a cost breakdown. If the grant will not cover the full cost of the project, include information about how additional funding will be secured.
Applications may be obtained at the MEC Member Services
at 928 Hancock Rd., online at www.mohaveelectric. com/classroom-grants, in school offices, or just cut off and complete the last two pages of this issue.
“This is a way for educators to receive valuable financial support,” Puryear said. “The application process is not lengthy and keeps teachers from having to reach into their own pockets for needed funds.”
A few examples of past projects include a virtual trip to Iowa to study the habitat of eagles, learning about the life cycle, studying animal behavior by dissecting owl pellets, and creating and cooking with solar ovens.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for educators in the MEC service territory,” Puryear said. “I hope they will take advantage.”
The grant program is funded through assigned capital credits at no cost to the cooperative.
For more information, contact Terry Puryear at (928) 7580567 or tpuryear@mohaveelectric.com or Zen Mocarski at (928) 758-0579 or zmocarski@mohaveelectric.com.
Top, winners of the 2019 Classroom Grants. Educators from 10 different schools were awarded a grant. Left, students from River Valley High School pose alongside reuseable water bottles as part of an entrepreneurship effort to reduce landfill waste.
Office
Boombox Parade
Mohave Electric Cooperative participated in the annual Boombox Parade Dec. 6. Clockwise from top, participated staff, board member Toni Barbaro with the Christmas tree, CEO Tyler Carlson driving Ole’ No. 1, walking the parade route, and Olaf meets Elsa. Presents donated by MEC staff were given to the Bullhead City Fire Department Toy Drive.
Member engagement aids in passage of RURAL Act
Mohave Electric Cooperative would like to thank its members for becoming engaged with the RURAL Act. Its recent passage protects the tax-exempt status of cooperatives receiving a grant for disaster relief assistance or broadband.
Without the passage of the RURAL Act, if MEC, as a not-for-profit, received a grant of any type, it would have been considered taxable income. Without the RURAL Act, MEC could have been required to pay taxes for grants received for solar for the schools, fire stations, city, and county.
Consider that cooperatives around the country must repair electrical infrastructure damaged due to severe weather events. FEMA grants can account for 40 percent or more of the funding these cooperatives are using to make needed repairs.
Without alterations to the federal tax law, that funding would have been considered taxable income. This could have moved a not-for-profit cooperative to a taxable entity. Currently cooperatives must receive 85 percent of their income from their members to retain their tax-exempt status. Counting grants and FEMA funds as income would have placed the notfor-profit status in jeopardy.
The voices of cooperative members across the nation made a difference. This wasn’t the only case of MEC members making a difference. In just the last few years, our members played an integral role in protecting Assigned Capital Credits and the defeat of Proposition 127.
Always stay engaged because your voice does matter.
Connections Expo helps members save
The Co-op Connections Expo is back and ready to help Mohave Electric Cooperative members save on everyday needs.
The free expo will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 7 at the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce. The event provides members an opportunity to visit participating Co-op Connections businesses in one location to learn about various discounts available when members show their connections card.
“Members don’t even need to carry the card anymore,” said Terry Puryear, public affairs coordinator at MEC. “An app is available on iOS and Android that places savings at a member’s fingertips.”
The app, which is free, provides an opportunity to search for local and national deals and showing the card in the app at a business is all a member needs to do to receive an associated discount.
The card’s Healthy Savings can save members up to 85 percent on prescriptions as well as discounts on dental, vision, chiropractic, hearing aids, and lab and imaging. In addition, the program teams up with coupons. com to offer hundreds of opportunities to save and the Cash Back Mall offers rewards for online purchases with major retailers.
The card is good for discounts at over 130 local businesses and expo attendees will have an opportunity to purchase items or services from vendors. There will also be drawings for prizes and three grand prize gift certificates to a Co-op Connections business of a member’s choice.
“I’m a member myself and I use the card every chance I get,” Puryear said. “A penny saved is a penny earned, and I’m earning a lot just by using it.”
Connections businesses interested in participating should contact Puryear at tpuryear@mohaveelectric.com or call (928) 758-0567.
