The Bright Ideas Grant program began in 1994 to support innovative, creative and effective initiatives that could not be covered by traditional school financing. Since 1994 Tri-County EMC has awarded over $255,000 to local schools and teachers for special enhancement projects. These grants have had a direct impact on the education of students in Wayne, Duplin and Lenoir counties. Tri-County EMC leads the cooperatives in North Carolina in the amount of grants awarded. Grants are awarded based on their effectiveness through innovative and creative teaching methods, ongoing benefits and possibility of replication in other settings, and the direct involvement of as many students as possible without compromising the instructional value. For more information about the Bright Ideas grant, contact the Tri-County Office or visit the Bright Ideas Website. www.ncbrightideas.com You may apply online or print application and send to: Tri-County EMC, P. O. Box 130, Dudley, N. C. 28333.

Rural Electric Youth Tour

This annual youth program, sponsored by Tri-County EMC, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporations and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, brings over a thousand young people from across the nation to Washington, D.C to learn more about the cooperative-form of business.
The all expense paid trip, held in mid-June is for high school juniors, whose parents or legal guardians are members of Tri-County EMC. Three representatives are chosen through an essay contest with a preselected topic concerning electricity.
The youth travel to the capital city by bus and spend seven eventful days touring Washington and its landmarks. In addition, the youth meet with their Congressmen and senators.
Representatives also establish a mini-cooperative during the week, allowing them to gain insight on how a cooperative business works. For more information, contact the Tri-County office.

Beginning in May 2001, Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation awarded scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships are funded solely by the employees of Tri-County. The Directors, Management, and Employees believe that the future of America is in the hands of today's youth. Development of tomorrow's leaders is achieved through educational opportunities.
Each year eight or more scholarships of $500 will be awarded to students accepted to a four year university or college. And, four or more scholarships of $250 will be awarded to students accepted in a community college, junior college, vocational or technical school..

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

·	Must be a child of a Tri-County Electric member or live in a home served by Tri-County Electric or attend high school in our service territory (Southern Wayne, Charles B. Aycock, Spring Creek, Rosewood, Eastern Wayne, North Duplin, East Duplin, James Kenan, North Lenoir, or South Lenoir).
·	Must be a high school graduating senior.

Applications are available from the high school guidance counselor at each school listed above or call 919-735-2611 or 800-548-4869.

Operation Round-Up

The Operation Round-Up program is a volunteer program whereby participating member's bills are rounded up to the next highest dollar. The rounding up only applies to Rate 2 Residential Accounts. The donated funds are placed in a special account and administered by the Tri-County Electric Foundation Board. Through an application process, the funds are distributed to worthy causes and organizations in our communities.
At present 92.67% of Tri-County's residential members are participating in this program.

ChristmasWatts

Each year during November and December, Tri-County EMC offers the Christmas Watts Program for its members. It's a gift that everyone can use. When Christmas Watts are purchased the customer is actually purchasing kilowatt-hours of electricity, thus reducing the amount of next month's bill for the recipient.
As an added feature, Tri-County will have Santa personally deliver a gift certificate to the recipient of your ChristmasWatts gift. (Include picture with Santa)
For more information on the ChristmasWatts program check the member newsletter in November or contact the Tri-County office.

Since 1998, the members of Tri-County EMC have made a difference in the lives of many people in eastern North Carolina by generously contributing to the Ronald McDonald House of Greenville, N. C.
This project began after the birth of General Manager J. Michael Davis' twin sons, Lance and Nolan. Born five weeks early, Michael and his wife stayed at the Ronald McDonald House to be close to their children.
Each year, a Wish List from the house naming items such as kitchen/food, cleaning/laundry and personal hygiene items are printed in the Annual Report. Members choose from this list to bring items to the annual meeting.

Educational programs are available upon request for schools or civic groups. Topics vary from electrical safety to energy conservation.

Community Watch

Tri-County employees are involved in the North Carolina Fleetwatch. The Fleetwatch is a community watch program, whereby employees report suspicious sightings or help people in need. Our employees are out and about in our communities and can be on the lookout for things that may not appear normal. If something is spotted, they will immediately call law enforcement personnel or emergency personnel.

Tri County Electric Membership Corporation, along with the other North Carolina Touchstone Energy cooperatives, have joined the state's Amber Alert program and will provide the network with eyes and ears in rural North Carolina. North Carolina's electric cooperatives serve the largest geographic area of the state's electric utilities. As a rule of thumb, area outside a formal city limit is usually served by one of the state's 27 electric cooperatives. The co-ops maintain 90,000 miles of power lines, by far the most of any electric utility serving North Carolina. The Amber Alert program is designed to safely recover missing children who are in danger of serious injury or death. When an Amber Alert is dispatched by law enforcement, electric cooperative personnel will then relay the alert instantly to personnel in the field via electronic messaging. The North Carolina Amber Alert System was first activated in June 2002.

Tri-County EMC and its employees regularly participates in local community festivals, business expos and other activities. The cooperative is a real part of the communities it serves, and contributes time and finances on projects in the communities to help improve the quality of life for its members and the general public.