May 1, 2018 | Community, Latest News
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, April 28, during the 16th annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year banquet and recognition on the campus of Lake Area Technical Institute.
The event honored the 33 high school students who were chosen each week throughout the school year as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. It’s a program which recognizes students for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and community service. The students are featured in weekly segments which air on KSFY Television and each student receives a $100 scholarship for being chosen as the Scholar of the Week.
Nathan Hulscher, a senior at Florence High School within Codington-Clark Electric’s service territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year. Hulscher, who plans to attend Augustana University in the fall, received a $1,000 scholarship. Trevor Case, a senior at Webster Area High School within Lake Region Electric’s service territory, and Alexander Palecek, a senior at Yankton High School within Clay-Union Electric’s service territory, were both chosen to receive $500 scholarships. The names were drawn from among the attendees.
Lake Area Technical Institute’s President Michael Cartney was the keynote speaker for the Scholar of the Year banquet. KSFY News anchor Brian Allen served as the master of ceremonies.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota provide safe and reliable electricity to more than 113,000 homes and businesses. The cooperatives have sponsored the Scholar of the Week program since 2002. In that time Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have awarded over $80,000 in scholarships as part of the Scholar of the Week program.
Apr 19, 2018 | Community
East River Electric’s 54th annual Mountain Oyster Feed was a success, raising $24,500 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 April 4 and was attended by 470 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 54 years since the East River fundraiser began, $250,000 has been raised to help LifeScape provide services to children and adults in rural South Dakota.
Apr 17, 2018 | Community
Leveraging a matching grant opportunity provided by CoBank, East River’s Employees Committee recently donated $10,000 to Valiant Living, a local non-profit organization in Madison that serves people with disabilities. The Employees Committee, which raises money throughout the year from employees for charitable giving, donated $5,000 and CoBank matched that amount. The donation will be used by Valiant Living to purchase much needed equipment. We want to thank our friends at CoBank for their matching donation that will make a real impact in the Madison community.
In the photo: Jeff Nelson (back, left), Jacob Slaathaug, Andrew Hora, Joe Henderson and Elliott Shoup-Owens; (front, left) Megan Rummel, Cathy Olinger, Connie Daniel, Amber Coomes, Jim Rook, Jessica Haak and Bob Sahr.
