United Way -

Each year Firelands Electric Cooperative holds a campaign drive among employees to raise funds for the Ashland and Huron County United Way agencies. This annual October fundraiser is another way the cooperative shows commitment to their community.

Firelands employees raise $2,312.02 for two causes -

Team members are (front row, from left) Tabi Shepherd, April Bordas, Zach Collins, Andrea Gravenhorst, (back row) Tim Williams, Cindy Thompson and Kurt Detterman.

Firelands employees battled fierce wind and rain on May 3 during the 2008 American Heart Association’s 5K walk held at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Norwalk. Together, they raised $550 to help fight heart disease and stroke. “I’m thrilled our team helped in the fight against cardiovascular disease, our nation’s number-one killer,” said Firelands’ team captain Andrea Gravenhorst.

Teammates joined forces again on May 18, to blow the whistle on asthma during the American Lung Association’s 5K asthma walk at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. Firelands Lineman Kurt Detterman challenged himself with a personal goal to raise $1,000 in support of the estimated 22 million Americans who currently suffer from asthma — the number-one cause of hospitalization
among children under the age of 15. Detterman surpassed his goal and said his personal motivation is strong because his step-father is battling lung disease.

Firelands General Manager John Noss offered a $25 Outback incentive prize for the employee with the largest donations/pledges in each walk. The participant with the fastest walk time in each event received a fresh-baked pie or cake of their choice prepared by Firelands’ team captain. “I’m proud that Firelands employees volunteered to participate in these events,” said Noss. “Our employees have a real concern for our local communities, and they want to help and support their neighbors.”