North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives regularly work together to meet the needs of co-op served communities across the state and nation through the cooperative’s Human Connections Fund. In the days following Hurricane Helene, it became clear that local and national relief organizations needed monetary help in their efforts to provide aid across Western North Carolina. North Carolina EMC activated their charitable “Human Connections Fund” quickly and collectively, NC Cooperatives and their employees across the state raised over $300,000 to assist affected communities.

The needs following the storm were large and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives relied on local cooperatives of affected communities, like Haywood EMC to find the organizations providing relief in these hardest hit communities. Through this strong partnership, funds were donated in Haywood EMC’s name to organizations serving member’s communities. These donations will further the efforts of these wonderful organizations as they rebuild, resupply, and continue to support members of the community who are still in great need.

Haywood EMC is thankful for the great generosity of cooperatives and their employees who have donated to the Human Connections Funds, for the stewardship of the Fund’s management with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and for the tireless efforts of the many organizations helping our region heal.

Haywood EMC is an electric cooperative, supplying electricity to 29,100 member-owners in Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Madison and Transylvania Counties in NC as well as Oconee SC and Rabun GA. For more information, visit www.haywoodemc.com or the cooperative’s social media on Facebook, Instagram or X.

The Human Connections Fund was established in December 2005 and gives North Carolina electric cooperatives and their employees the ability to assist sister cooperatives and their members in times of need. The initiative has previously provided donations to those affected by severe storms, hurricanes and other disasters here at home and throughout the country.