Southern Pine Members Helping Members Awards $107,000 to Empower Local Communities
Fourteen local organizations were honored at a special ceremony on May 20, 2025, at Southern Pine Electric’s headquarters in Taylorsville as the first recipients of grant funding through the cooperative’s Members Helping Members program. Administered by the Pinebelt Foundation, the program awarded a total of $107,135 to support critical services across Southern Pine Electric’s 11-county service area.
Jan Collins, Vice President of Communications, welcomed the honorees and praised their commitment to serving their communities.
“We commend each organization represented here today for the vital work you continue to do in our communities,” Collins said. “Your dedication and service embody the spirit of cooperative effort. This program is funded one hundred percent by Southern Pine members, and it is our hope that your commitment inspires others to join in supporting meaningful causes and initiatives across our region.”
Grants were awarded to support public safety, educational programs, food assistance, and other community outreach initiatives. The funding reflects the powerful impact of small monthly donations made by Southern Pine members who choose to round up their electric bills.
Organizations receiving grants are:
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Beta Theta Omega Chapter: $8,000 for youth leadership education supplies and meal power packs.
• Covington County Board of Supervisors: $10,000 for law enforcement monitoring equipment to reduce crime.
• Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 for thermal imaging and gas detection equipment.
• Katina’s Classroom: $5,000 for reading program materials and student meals.
• Keep Magee Beautiful: $8,600 for beautification of Magee City Park.
• Mossville Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 for firefighting equipment.
• Paws of Love, Inc.: $5,000 for spay/neuter services through Lawrence County Animal Health Center.
• Seminary Elementary School: $9,990 to construct a playground covering.
• Stringer Volunteer Fire Department: $9,335 for safety equipment.
• Sweet Morning Tea Corp.: $1,800 for service project supplies supporting high school girls and female inmates.
• Sylvarena Volunteer Fire Department: $5,182.98 for fire equipment and supplies.
• Taylorsville High School: $8,380.15 for a greenhouse kit to support a school garden.
• Taylorsville Chamber of Commerce: $8,846.43 for signage to benefit the City of Taylorsville.
• Taylorsville Volunteer Fire Department: $7,000 for specialized firefighting equipment.
The next grant application period for the Members Helping Members program opens August 1 and runs through August 31, 2025. Eligible organizations—including nonprofits, schools, and civic groups located within Southern Pine Electric’s service area—are encouraged to apply.
For more information about the Members Helping Members program and how to apply, visit southernpine.coop/MHM.
