Fredericksburg, Va. –Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) held Get Connected, the Cooperative’s annual member appreciation night, on Thursday, June 2, at Louisa County High School.  

Get Connected offers REC members an evening of fun, food and fellowship, giving them a chance to learn more about the Cooperative and the services it provides. Member-owners also meet employees and the Co-op’s leadership team in person. Get Connected rotates to a different part of REC’s 22-county service area each year.  

REC had numerous booths and activities for attendees. Members learned about REC programs and services such as The Power of Change, a program that allows members to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar, donate a specific amount or make a one-time donation to support nonprofits in our communities.  

REC also shared information on its solar and electric vehicle charging options, which are offered through Vividly Brighter.

Members also learned about energy efficiency and electrical safety. Interactive activities included a setup of meter shop equipment, linemen tools and gear, a photo booth, prizes with games and a Live Line Trailer to demonstrate power line safety. REC’s Vegetation Management team provided members with free energy-saving trees on a first come first serve basis.  

“We were very excited to hear about the event,” said Dwight Shamblee, a member-owner from western Hanover County. “I really appreciate the fact that REC is interested in being connected with the community and giving us the opportunity to come out and get to know the employees.” 

Members started arriving 30 minutes before the event was scheduled to begin, and within the first 90 minutes over 500 members had come out to the event.  

“We really appreciate the opportunity to be out here in our community,” said REC Board Member Mark Wood, who serves Region VII, representing Louisa County. “It gives us the opportunity to let them know we’re here to represent them, to serve them and that we appreciate them.”  

Prioritizing safety, REC is always prepared. The event planning included a detailed safety plan, which was reviewed and approved by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and shared in multiple pre-event meetings with employees.  

About an hour into the event, a thunderstorm began to move east from Charlottesville. To keep members and employees safe, REC’s safety team made the call to safely evacuate everyone to the middle and high school buildings.  

“We’re always prepared, and a large community event is no exception,” said Casey Hollins, Managing Director – Communications and Public Relations. “The safety of our employees and member-owners will always come first.” 

Due to damage and the continued threat of lightning, the remainder of the event was canceled after the storm passed, but REC will be present at a variety of community events throughout the summer and looks forward to planning the 2023 Get Connected event.  

REC provides electric service to over 170,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 17,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.