Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.S. (Helping Us Give to Society) program awarded $5,000 in grant funds to the Stanton County Library on Nov. 17, 2021. The cooperative also presented the library with $2,500 in grant funds from CoBank, the cooperative’s primary lender. The money will be used to purchase light fixtures, replacing the library’s original fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient LED panels.

“Replacing the current lighting with a new lighting system is going to be a significant upgrade,” said Colleen Kilbreath, Stanton County Library’s director. “The new lights will improve the building, the work environment, and the experience of our library users. They will also reduce our future energy consumption.”

Kilbreath stated the library has been proactive in combating energy costs; the lighting project will continue to support the library’s savings plan.

“Like our H.U.G.S. program, the Stanton County Library is committed to recycling,” said Anita Wendt, vice president of energy services for Pioneer Electric. “We appreciate the opportunity to help them bring this project to fruition and make a positive impact on not just Stanton County, but the communities that surround it as well.”

More information about Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.S. program can be found here.

Members of the Southwest Health Transport, Inc. board were presented with $10,000 in grant funds on Nov. 17. Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.S. (Helping Us Give to Society) team granted $5,000 in funds to Southwest Health Transport, Inc. and presented another $5,000 in matching funds courtesy of CoBank’s Sharing Success program.  The money will help fund the board’s bus transportation project aimed at assisting those with medical transportation needs

“Having a transportation system in place to aid our elderly community will be a huge benefit to the community,” said Steve Brom, chairperson for Southwest Transport, Inc. “The bus will be able to transport those with medical needs to their appointments taking the burden of themselves and their families.”

Southwest Transport estimates over 900 people could benefit from the addition of a medical needs bus transportation system in Ulysses. The bus will be open to those in Ulysses with medical needs in Garden City three days a week and non-elderly persons, persons with disabilities and caregivers will also be able to ride the bus if space is available.

“Our main goal is to help our community get the medical care they need,” said Ruby Romero, Southwest Health Transport, Inc. board member.

The Sullivan Art program received $5,000 in grants from Pioneer Electric’s Helping Us Give to Society (H.U.G.S.) program and an additional $2,500 from CoBank’s Sharing Success program. The Art program will use the funds to purchase new classroom furniture and replenish art supplies. Representatives from Pioneer Electric presented the grants to the school on Nov. 17.

“The tables and chairs in the art room currently do not match,” said Stephanie Manis, Sullivan Elementary Art teacher. “Having new tables and chairs that match will not only bring cohesiveness to the room but will also provide a better working area for my students.”

The new tables and chairs will coordinate with Manis’ color-coding method for sectioning groups in her classroom. Manis hopes by improving the working environment for students and introducing them to a variety of art mediums will help her students continue to express themselves in positive ways through art.

“The Sullivan Art program is a great example of the type of projects H.U.G.S. was created to help with,” said Ruby Terrazas, energy services coordinator and H.U.G.S. team member. “By creating a welcoming and fresh environment in the classroom, students are going to be engaged and get the most out of their education.”