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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, FEB. 16, 2009 – The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) today honored Baldwin Electric Membership Cooperative in Summerdale, Ala., with the Association’s “Community Service Award” for bringing a national anti-violence program, “Rachel’s Challenge,” to local middle schools.

Rachel’s Challenge, inspired by the diaries of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the massacre at Columbine High School, aims to prevent violence among young people by asking them to accept a challenge to eliminate prejudice, choose their influences and engage in “small acts of kindness.”

The school board had funded the program for seven high schools. Baldwin EMC gave the school board a grant from Operation Round-up funds to sponsor the program at 10 middle schools.

In addition to providing the grant, the cooperative hosted a one-night version of the program for parents and conducted the program for employees.

“The Rachel’s Challenge program illustrates how deeply connected cooperatives are to their communities,” said Jack Wolfe, president of the NRECA Board of Directors. “Programs like Rachel’s Challenge help the people in our communities – of all ages – thrive and grow.”

Baldwin County schools superintendent, Faron Hollinger, called Rachel’s Challenge “the most powerful student and adult presentation that I’ve ever heard.”

Inspired by the program, students formed Friends of Rachel clubs at most of the local schools. “The grant from Baldwin EMC will help start a ‘chain reaction’ throughout our school system, and it will broaden the outlooks of our peers,” said student Courtni Evans.

This view was echoed by teachers and school staff. “As a school social worker and sponsor for Friends of Rachel, I believe it is in our best interest to provide quality programs like Rachel’s Challenge to our students,” said Ansley Beverly. “We appreciate the sponsorship Baldwin EMC has provided for our county schools.”

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.

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