News > My Co-op Cares: INDY Foundation

My Co-op Cares: INDY Foundation

November 22, 2023

Meaningful community involvement is one of the many values at Stearns Electric. We aim to achieve this in many different ways but our ‘My Co-op Cares’ program is one way employees contribute to this commitment.

In October, nine Stearns Electric Association employees volunteered for the INDY (I’m Not Done Yet) Foundation as part of the Co-op’s ‘My Co-op Cares’ program. Volunteers filled warrior packs for patients battling cancer. It was a large task to fill 500 packs, so the group utilized the ample space available at the BoHo Café in Holdingford.

Warrior packs are filled with comfort items like a blanket, water bottle, inspirational notebook and more that patients can bring with them for appointments and treatments. Additionally, our employees also wrote handwritten notes of encouragement to be included within the packs.

“My favorite part of the event was writing out the cards to these cancer warriors – it was so rewarding,” employee volunteer Cindy Anderson said.

“We are so grateful for community partners like Stearns Electric who take the initiative to help support the INDY mission. Our backpack program is a lot of work, but it makes a large impact across the state of Minnesota,” Kayla Keenan, INDY Foundation Founder, expressed.

The ‘My Co-op Cares’ program allows Cooperative employees time to volunteer during working hours to help communities and organizations within our service territory. Three times per year, Stearns Electric sends teams of employees out to local organizations and charitable causes.

“Our My Co-op Cares events take our ability to give our talents to a greater level impacting those in need, or with limited resources,” employee volunteer Vicky Herkenhoff explained.

Matt Pieper, employee volunteer, added, “Volunteering alongside my co-workers I don’t interact with every day helps make the Co-op stronger by having personal connections with other employees.”

Visit our Facebook page to see more photos from the day. To learn more about the Cooperative’s commitment to community and other community outreach programs, visit: www.stearnselectric.org/community.