News > Stearns Electric Association Employee Volunteers Showcase Co-op Value of “Meaningful Community Involvement”

Stearns Electric Association Employee Volunteers Showcase Co-op Value of “Meaningful Community Involvement”

July 22, 2026

As part of Stearns Electric’s “My Co-op Cares” employee volunteer program, twelve Stearns Electric employees recently volunteered their time at Camphill Village MN north of Sauk Centre. 

On June 24, employee volunteers lived out the Co-op value of “meaningful community involvement” by repairing and staining some of Camphill Village’s community decks. Volunteers also got the opportunity to eat lunch on-site, prepared from their bountiful gardens, with many of their community members which was a highlight for most! 

“As employees, being able to volunteer directly in the community is a meaningful way for Stearns Electric to demonstrate our commitment to community involvement,” volunteer Abby Gardner stated. “It allows us to build relationships, give back in a hands-on way and represent the Co-op’s values beyond the workplace.” 

“Relationships are the foundation of a community,” said employee volunteer Josh Sjogren, “when we volunteer at different organizations and invest in others, it builds relationships which, in turn, build the community.” 

“The work the Stearns Electric volunteers completed is not only visually appealing, but it allows our community to continue to provide safe care for our residents with special needs,” Annie Welck, Camphill Village MN development and outreach manager, said. “It’s truly wonderful for our community to have had the opportunity to meet and interact with employees of such a productive and community-focused organization!” 

Stearns Electric’s “My Co-op Cares” program is in its eighth year of volunteering with various organizations throughout our service territory. “My Co-op Cares” 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. 

The organizations aren’t the only beneficiaries of our “My Co-op Cares” events; employees get so much out of the experiences as well. 

“It was nice seeing the smiles on the residents’ and workers’ faces and the thankfulness they clearly expressed, without even saying a word, was amazing,” volunteer Glen Kemper said. “We worked as a team to accomplish what needed to be done. One of our volunteers even helped fix the chain on a child’s bike – he was so thankful, you could have heard his excitement a mile away as he rode the bike down the road!” 

“Building relationships with co-workers you don’t work with every day is always a highlight, but meeting the villagers and workers of the Camphill Village community was my favorite part,” detailed Katie Anderson, an employee volunteer. “Getting to see the people and hear the heart behind an organization makes whatever work we do much more meaningful when you see the ‘why’ behind the work.”