Mike Ward of Frederick County didn’t know what to expect when he brought his family to REC's Get Connected event last Thursday evening. He attended with his wife, Jessica Jackson, and their 9-year-old daughter, Ava. Ward visited out of curiosity, but walked away gushing about how much he learned and how much fun his daughter had.
“I found all the booths really interesting and our daughter had a lot to do,” he said. “I was able to learn about solar power and how fuses work in transformers, and Ava had fun jumping in a bounce house and getting her face painted. There was something for everyone.”
REC hosts Get Connected, a member appreciation event, in a different part of its 22-county service territory each year. It’s also a chance to share important information on energy use and conservation, electric safety and green energy initiatives - among other topics. More than 1,000 people attended this year’s event June 6 at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.
Among the highlights, REC:
• Gave away 500 energy-saving trees (red osier dogwoods).
• Provided live-line electric safety demonstrations.
• Shared energy-saving information and tips.
• Offered the chance to see electric vehicles, such as a Chevy Bolt, a Tesla and a Nissan Leaf.
• Educated member-owners on Cooperative Sunshare, a program that allows them to support solar energy without having to install panels at home.
• Informed members about MyREC Smarthub, which makes it easy for member-owners to manage their electric account – and track their energy use.
• Provided information about how power is restored.
• Offered children’s entertainment such as a moon bounce, face painting and crafts.
• Partnered with Jordan Springs Market BBQ to provide a free meal for attendees – and offered Kona Ice for dessert.
• Featured music by Fiddlin Dave and Morgan of the Mountain Furnace Band and dancing by the Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers
• Handed out #WeAreREC T-shirts to celebrate member-owners.
Activities aside, Ward also appreciated the opportunity to meet REC’s leaders.
“It’s empowering to be able to shake hands with board members and REC’s president,” Ward said. “It makes me realize I’m a piece of REC.”
Chris Jarrell of Stephens City said his family also was impressed.
“This event was amazing,” said Jarrell said. “We wouldn’t expect our electric company to put on an event like this. We are so grateful for REC and what they’re doing in our community – the way REC really invests in our communities. We couldn’t ask for a better electric company.”
Jeff Hinson, director of member services and community relations at REC’s Blue Ridge Office, said the event bridges the gap between employees and the member-owners they serve.
“Get Connected gives our employees a chance to really get to know a lot of REC’s member-owners,” Hinson said. “It’s always special to connect in person with the folks we serve every day.”
