San Miguel awards local charities through giving programs


The Longhorn Museum received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Albert Salazar, SMEC; Jeanie Ruple, Longhorn Museum; Greg Pratka, Faith Miller and Kelli Powell, SMEC; and Valerie Purgason, Director of the museum.

The Longhorn Museum received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Albert Salazar, SMEC; Jeanie Ruple, Longhorn Museum; Greg Pratka, Faith Miller and Kelli Powell, SMEC; and Valerie Purgason, Director of the museum.

San Miguel Electric Cooperative (SMEC) has announced its 2020 CoBank Sharing charitable contributions. This year’s beneficiaries are the Atascosa Health Clinic, Safer Path Family Violence Shelter and Children Matter to Me. SMEC’s 2020 contribution has increased from last year’s $7,500 to $10,000 this year.

Through the Sharing Success program, which runs from April 1 through Oct. 31 or until the fund is exhausted, CoBank will match donations made by customers, such as SMEC, to charitable organizations. Established in 2012, CoBank and its customers have thus far contributed more than $44 million. This year, the bank increased the annual matching fund to $4 million and raised the maximum match per customer to $10,000.

SMEC has been a participating member of CoBank’s Sharing Success program since 2013 with cooperative contributions totaling $47,500.

“Our partnership with CoBank allows SMEC to maximize our charitable contributions so that local organizations can benefit even more,” said Mike Kezar, SMEC general manager. “All three organizations, Atascosa Health Clinic, Safer Path Family Violence Shelter and Children Matter to Me, are dedicated to making a difference in their local communities and are very deserving of this donation.”

The Atascosa Health Clinic received a contribution of $10,000 from SMEC’s 2020 CoBank Sharing program. Pictured, from left, are Gloria Day, Maria Garcia, Sharon Shearrer, Monty Small and Lupe Martinez. COURTESY PHOTO

The Atascosa Health Clinic received a contribution of $10,000 from SMEC’s 2020 CoBank Sharing program. Pictured, from left, are Gloria Day, Maria Garcia, Sharon Shearrer, Monty Small and Lupe Martinez. COURTESY PHOTO

In addition to CoBank’s Sharing Success program, SMEC’s own charitable giving program contributes financially to individual charities in Atascosa and McMullen Counties.

2019 Charitable Giving Recipients

Throughout the year, SMEC donated funds and partnered with local charitable organizations to help them fulfill their mission to the local community.

“Caring for our neighbors – who are often our customers – is important to us,” said Kezar. “We strive to make a difference to those who so generously serve our community.”

In 2019, SMEC gave $1,000 donations to the following organizations:

• Pleasanton Parks
Foundation
• Longhorn Museum
• Jamie’s Ranch for
Special Kids

Children Matter to Me received a contribution of $5,000 from SMEC’s 2020 CoBank Sharing program. Pictured, from left, are Cyrae Mereigh, Hailey Stimpson and Darcy Becerra of Children Matter to Me. COURTESY PHOTO

Children Matter to Me received a contribution of $5,000 from SMEC’s 2020 CoBank Sharing program. Pictured, from left, are Cyrae Mereigh, Hailey Stimpson and Darcy Becerra of Children Matter to Me. COURTESY PHOTO

• Quilted Hearts
• Campbellton VFD
• Christine VFD
• Jourdanton VFD
• Leming VFD
• Pleasanton VFD
• Poteet VFD

SMEC’s donation to the Longhorn Museum Society in Pleasanton, for example, will be used to restore its “beloved train depot, which needs a new threshold in the entrance way.” Quilted Hearts says it plans to use its donation “to make quilts, blankets, tote bags and bibs for children in crisis in Atascosa County.” The Pleasanton Parks Foundation will use its funds “to enhance park amenities and support activities for youth, seniors and all citizens.”

In addition to providing these grants, the Cooperative and its employees provided contributions and gifts over the 2019 holidays to the Atascosa County Child Welfare Board and the Safer Path Family Violence Shelter.

Details on the Cooperative’s Charitable Giving Program, including application information, can be found at www.smeci.net/ charitable-giving/application info.

The Pleasanton Parks Foundation received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Rusty Prasifka; Faith Miller, Clifford Lyssy, Jake Pawelek, Kenneth Sralik and Stacy Sralik of SMEC.

The Pleasanton Parks Foundation received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Rusty Prasifka; Faith Miller, Clifford Lyssy, Jake Pawelek, Kenneth Sralik and Stacy Sralik of SMEC.

The Pleasanton Fire Department received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Faith Miller and Sharon Shearrer, SMEC; Chuck Garris, Mario Escobedo and Logan Valdez, Pleasanton VFD.

The Pleasanton Fire Department received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Faith Miller and Sharon Shearrer, SMEC; Chuck Garris, Mario Escobedo and Logan Valdez, Pleasanton VFD.

Campbellton Volunteer Fire Department received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Slver Carnevale and James Lucas and Daylon Fowler, SMEC; Martin Llamas, Campbellton VFD; and Benny Ramirez, SMEC.

Campbellton Volunteer Fire Department received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Slver Carnevale and James Lucas and Daylon Fowler, SMEC; Martin Llamas, Campbellton VFD; and Benny Ramirez, SMEC.

Quilted Hearts received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Faith Miller, SMEC; Joyce Price with Quilted Hearts; and Denise Luna, SMEC.

Quilted Hearts received a contribution of $1,000 from SMEC’s 2019 Charitable Giving Program. Pictured, from left, are Faith Miller, SMEC; Joyce Price with Quilted Hearts; and Denise Luna, SMEC.

Safer Path Family Violece Shelter received a contribution of $5,000 from SMEC’s 2020 CoBank Sharing program. Pictured, from left, are Andrea Rathmell, Safer Path Outreach Coordinator; Sharon Shearrer, San Miguel Electric Cooperative; and Rhonda Williamson, Safer Path Executive Director.

Safer Path Family Violece Shelter received a contribution of $5,000 from SMEC’s 2020 CoBank Sharing program. Pictured, from left, are Andrea Rathmell, Safer Path Outreach Coordinator; Sharon Shearrer, San Miguel Electric Cooperative; and Rhonda Williamson, Safer Path Executive Director.

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