No matter the industry, all cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles. The last one, though certainly not least, principle #7 is "Concern for Community." Hancock-Wood's mission is to develop, implement, and communicate our concern for community by sponsoring and supporting charitable organizations, as well as programs and activities that improve the communities where our members and employees live and work.

We uphold this principle through a variety of ways:

• Donations - Our donations include both monetary and item contributions. Such contributions have supported various nonprofit societies, youth sports, theater, arts and charitable organizations. In fact, our Annual Meeting food donation drive each fall provides hundreds of nonperishable food items for local homeless and needy citizens.
• Employees - Our employees extend a wonderful human touch to many worthy groups. Employees have donated their work time to serve on committees, speak at classes, hang up community Christmas lights and to set poles for nonprofit group projects, to name a few. Our employees also get active by raising money as a team for various charities, and Hancock-Wood has even matched their fundraising efforts in some cases.
• Community Groups - We are active in several community organizations in an effort to improve the lifestyles of our members. We also anticipate that our support will have a positive economic impact on Hancock-Wood through increased sales.
• Environment - While we serve on several environmentally-focused community groups, we also assist the area each year with an extensive Christmas tree chipping project to help recycle and use the wood chips for neighboring projects.
• Events - Each year, for example, we conduct our own Family Fun Day, Annual Meeting, Holiday Light Contest, member day-trips and other fun, company-sponsored events. We also participate in the Farm Science Review, fairs and other local events to not only promote our services, but assist in supporting the community with its activities.
• Scholarships - We generously donate thousands of dollars each year to the daughters and sons of our members to help defray the cost of their college education. We also team up with the University of Findlay and Owens Community College in funding specific scholarship causes at each school.
• International Relief - Hancock-Wood's national organization, NRECA, maintains an international foundation to promote true American character around the globe. Collectively with hundreds of other U.S. cooperatives, our total contributions to this foundation have helped to start an electric cooperative in Haiti, electrify a remote Guatemalan village and create new jobs.

To Be Considered
If you believe your organization may benefit from our assistance, feel free to submit a request in writing. All requests must be in writing on official organization letterhead. Groups must be as specific as possible in indicating needs, projects and deadlines. At the same time, groups must understand that due to a large volume of requests received and a limited budget, we cannot honor every request for funds. Hancock-Wood endeavors to support as many organizations as possible by ensuring that our budget is distributed fairly. Those organizations considered which enhance the quality of life of our member-consumers and the communities in which they live, and in which Hancock-Wood's participation is seen as contributing to this end, will be given preference. Priority will also be given to supporting organizations or causes in which Hancock-Wood employees are actively involved, and/or communities in which they live. Donation requests may be submitted to the following:

Donation Request
Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, Inc.
1399 Business Park Drive South
P.O. Box 190
North Baltimore, OH 45872-0190
419-257-3024 Fax

Operation Round Up

Our general company donation program listed above is independent of the Operation Round Up program.  To apply for funds through Operation Round Up, click here.