News > Employees Live Out the Co-op’s Principle: Concern for Community

Employees Live Out the Co-op’s Principle: Concern for Community

August 26, 2025

In June, Stearns Electric’s “My Co-op Cares” program kicked off its seventh year of volunteering with various organizations throughout our service territory. 

Stearns Electric Association employees volunteered their time on June 17 with Get Outdoors Minnesota, a youth program focused on making the outdoors accessible to everyone.

Eight Cooperative employees spent time with a group of 20 students ages 4-7 who participated in summer programming through Get Outdoors Minnesota throughout the week. Employee volunteers served as youth mentors for the participants, helping guide a nature walk and complete art projects. 

“Going on a nature walk and helping kids find items to add to their nature board was so much fun,” employee volunteer Abby Gardner said. “Seeing the activity through a child’s eyes was much more magical and fun.”

“I loved having the opportunity to play with the children in nature. It was an incredible experience!” volunteer Erica Hippen added.

“It was evident that the volunteers from Stearns Electric sought to connect with each camper,” Stef Rothstein, Get Outdoors Minnesota coordinator, said. “They weren’t just there to be an extra set of eyes and hands, they really supported the kids’ development by asking great questions, offering up ideas or information, and supporting the kids.”

Our “My Co-op Cares” program allows Cooperative employees time to volunteer during the workday to benefit our area communities. Three times per year, Stearns Electric sends teams of employees out to local organizations and charitable causes to share their time and talents.

“This type of community involvement is important to the Co-op, employees and the organization we’re serving,” Joan Scherping, an employee volunteer, explained. “As an employee, it makes me feel good to know and share with others that the Co-op I work for feels it is important to help the communities that we serve.”