East River employees volunteered their time and talents to help serve 116 meals at the monthly Gathering Meal at the Madison United Methodist Church. East River employees baked desserts or assisted with preparing, serving and cleaning up after the meal. This is a great chance for our employees to give back and live out the 7th cooperative principle of commitment to community. Thank you to everyone who volunteered at this event!
Lindsey Dockendorf of Madison is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from Basin Electric Power Cooperative based in Bismarck, N.D. She is the daughter of Tim and Amy Dockendorf of Madison.
Basin Electric awards 180 scholarships per year to children of member cooperative employees across the region. Dockendorf’s father, Tim, works as the Communications & Control Systems Administrator for East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, a Basin Electric member.
Lindsey will attend South Dakota State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in human biology with a career focus on pre-medicine. She then plans to attend the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota to receive her medical degree. Throughout high school, Lindsey participated in volleyball, softball, track and 4-H Archery. Lindsey is the president of the National Honor Society, a student ambassador and is involved in the Youth Discipleship group at her church.
“We congratulate Lindsey and her family on this tremendous honor,” said East River Electric CEO/General Manager Tom Boyko. “Lindsey’s commitment to both academics and athletics shows her dedication to attaining her goals. We wish Lindsey well as she continues her education at South Dakota State University.”
Since the scholarship program began, over 3,000 students in the Basin Electric system have benefited from this program. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of education and career goals and an outside appraisal by a teacher or adviser.
Cutline: (Left to Right) Tom Boyko, Lindsey Dockendorf and Tim Dockendorf. Tom presents Lindsey with the $1,000 Scholarship.
East River Electric’s 55th annual Mountain Oyster Feed was a success, raising $25,000 for LifeScape, an organization which promotes independence for over 2,500 children and adults with disabilities throughout South Dakota. The event was held at Nicky’s Restaurant in Madison on March 20 and was attended by 345 people.
East River’s Annual Mountain Oyster Feed has helped provide for the very best in medical care, therapy, education and other services for the children at LifeScape. Several local children and people from around the region are served by LifeScape.
“The charity event was very successful and a direct tribute to our employees fulfilling our Touchstone Energy Cooperatives principle of Commitment to Community,” said East River General Manager Tom Boyko. “I want to thank our employee committee who really stepped up and organized the event. Thanks also to everyone who helped prepare, serve, clean-up and attended the event.”
The East River Employees Committee donated $1,000, a total matched by East River Electric at $1,000. CoBank also contributed $2,000 to the event this year. In the 55 years since the East River fundraiser began, $275,000 has been raised to help LifeScape provide services to children and adults in rural South Dakota.
East River welcomes the public to attend the 55th annual Mountain Oyster Feed at Nicky’s in Madison on Wednesday, March 20 with serving beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will once again benefit LifeScape, formerly Children’s Care Hospital and School and SD Achieve, whose mission it is to empower children and adults with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. With more than $224,000 contributed to LifeScape over the years, East River’s Annual Mountain Oyster Feed has helped provide for the very best in medical care, therapy, education and other services for the children at LifeScape.
“LifeScape is so honored to benefit from this tremendous event each year. It is so fun and so unique, and it brings the community together in fellowship and food, but more importantly, it brings the community together in support of children with disabilities. The money raised over the years has made a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of Madison-area children and their families supported by LifeScape,” said Jessica Wells, LifeScape Foundation president. “This is a tradition we love and look forward to each year. We are so grateful for this event and for the people of this community that show their compassion and care by coming out in support of this each year.”
The event’s menu will include mountain oysters, pork sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw and dessert. There will be a raffle, door prizes, silent auction and 50-50 tickets.
“We appreciate the generosity of local businesses and the community in providing silent auction and raffle items for this year’s event,” said Elliot Shoup-Owens, East River Employees’ Committee chairperson. “East River Electric is committed to the communities we serve and this event is a great way for us to stay involved.”
PHOTO CUTLINE – East River Electric employees serve guests some of the signature fare at the 2018 Mountain Oyster Feed.
The Madison Lion’s Club received a $5,000 donation from East River Electric Cooperative in December. East River participated in CoBank’s Sharing Success Program which is a matching grant program. East River donated $2,500 and CoBank matched that amount.
The Lion’s Club is on a mission to serve by volunteering their time to improve communities. Larry DeKramer, Madison Lion’s Club President and Transmission Manager at East River, expressed appreciation for the generous donation. “Thank you for selecting the Madison Lion’s Club for this donation. We are excited to utilize the funds for our upcoming projects,” said Larry. Locally, the Lion’s Club is involved in free eye screenings for area youth and sets up American flags in the community on Flag Day.