Dairyland Power Cooperative, along with 10 of its member cooperatives and the Wisconsin statewide association, kicked-off National Co-op Month with the 3rd Annual Cooperative Day of Service on Wednesday, Oct. 1. (Pictured: Volunteers at Camp Nawakwa in Cornell, Wis.)

Dairyland coordinated five service projects throughout its service territory and joined forces with employees from local electric cooperatives to showcase their dedication to the cooperative principles, Concern for Community and Cooperation Among Cooperatives.

Projects included:

• Andersen Scout Camp | Houlton, Wis. – Cleaning buildings/cabins, brush clearing, storm clean-up and stacking wood. (Participating co-ops: Dairyland Power, Dunn Energy, St. Croix Electric)
• Birchwood Senior Center (ADRC of Washburn County) | Birchwood, Wis. – Cleaning, brush removal, painting, landscaping and staining. (Participating co-ops: Dairyland Power, Barron Electric)
• Camp Nawakwa | Cornell, Wis. – Outdoor painting/staining, winterizing cabins/shower house, deep cleaning the lodges, wood splitting. (Participating co-ops: Dairyland Power, Chippewa Valley Electric, Jump River Electric, Taylor Electric, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association)
• United Way of Freeborn County & Albert Lea YMCA | Albert Lea, Minn. – Staging pantry, helping unload food truck, Winter Gear Drive prep, painting, cleaning. (Participating co-ops: Dairyland Power, Freeborn Mower Electric, People’s Energy)
• Yellow River State Forest| Harpers Ferry, Iowa – Brush clearing and debris removal, painting. (Participating co-ops: Dairyland Power, Allamakee-Clayton Electric, Richland Electric)

“Working together is the essence of what it means to be a co-op and that was on full display today as our cooperative system came together to support local communities and the organizations that serve them,” said Dairyland President and CEO Brent Ridge. “Dairyland is honored to lead this event celebrating National Co-op Month, which embodies the very principles that empower us to make a difference.”