Helping Members in Times of Need — The DEMCO Foundation

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona is joined by Rhowanda “Rho” Vessel, DEMCO’s Community Relations Coordinator, to talk about the DEMCO Foundation and the vital role it plays in supporting co-op members during times of need.

Rho explains how the Foundation works, the types of assistance it provides, and how small contributions from members add up to meaningful help for neighbors across our service area. You’ll also hear about the careful review process behind each request, emergency assistance, school uniform and scholarship programs, and the lasting impact of members helping members.

This episode highlights the cooperative spirit at the heart of DEMCO—where local people come together to support one another when it matters most. 

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At DEMCO, we’re more than just an electric company, and our work, is more than just a job. As a local member-owned cooperative, we are your neighbors, your family and your friends. We exist to serve you, and we take a lot of pride in all that we do.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for our members, employees, and communities by safely providing reliable and competitively priced energy services. You’ve probably seen us out in the community—at events on and off duty—doing what we can to make a difference.

And now, you can hear us on your favorite podcast platform as we discuss what makes cooperatives special and inform the community about how we are striving to serve you in everything we do.

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David Latona:
Welcome to Co-op Conversations with DEMCO,
where we talk about the topics that impact your power,

your co-op, and your community. I'm your host,
David Latona.

Today we're talking about the DEMCO Foundation,
what it is, how it works,

how it supports our co-op members in their times of need.

Joining me is Rhowanda Vessel, DEMCO's Community Relations
Coordinator,

who works closely with DEMCO Foundation.

Rho, thanks so much for being here.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Thanks for having me here, David.

David Latona:
Absolutely, Rho. You do such a great job here at DEMCO,
and I know that you are one of our employees who gets to

interact closely with those members,
but specifically, it's kind of unique.

It's with the foundation. It's not with their power service.

But, can you just start by telling me what does that foundation
do for its members?

Rhowanda Vessel:
So the DEMCO Foundation is a subsidiary of DEMCO.

It was established back in 1997.

It is a nonprofit, charitable organization that is designed to
assist our members whenever they fall on hard times.

David Latona:
That's so great that a large company like DEMCO,
we're a big co-op,

would care for all of its members like that.

One thing that really stands out is how closely this aligns with
electric cooperatives.

And when they were formed, it's kind of the same mission
neighbors coming together to help one another.

Rhowanda Vessel:
I definitely agree with that. The way we assist our members is
through the program Operation Roundup,

and that's where our members can give a few cents on their bills.

For example, if their bill is $14.99 that penny,
they can round it up to $15.

And that penny goes to our DEMCO Foundation.

And it's a beautiful thing, because that penny is just going back
into the community in ways that we can assist our members.

I think that's pretty cool.

David Latona:
And there's so many members that are rounding up their bills to
help out their neighbors,

and those pennies each month certainly add up.

And over time, it really gives us the resources we need to help
our members.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Absolutely.

David Latona:
Let's talk about the kinds of situations that the members may
reach out to the foundation for assistance.

So, what types of areas do you see the foundation helping the
members?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Those areas, it can vary, but what we tend to see most is
normally when people fall on

hard times, whether it's through medical related issues,
or they've lost their job and so they're

temporarily needing assistance just to kind of get back on their
feet.

And so they will reach out to the foundation.

And it's a beautiful thing that we've been able to assist them,
kind of get back on their feet,

and then they can sustain moving forward.

So it's cool.

David Latona:
That's great. Is there something where the foundation is unable
to help?

Is there any limitations on what the foundation can do for
members?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Yes. So the only thing we will not assist with is their utility
bills.

Or if it's any type of organization,
we don't assist with that.

And then we also do not give members money directly.

So it'll be like, for instance,
if they are wanting assistance with their mortgage payment,

then we will send that check directly to the mortgage company
instead of the member.

David Latona:
Oh, that's a great way to help,
and certainly the DEMCO Foundation being a good steward of that

money as well. So is there a story or even just a moment that
stands out in your mind where you

felt like, wow, this foundation work is so rewarding.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Yes, absolutely. One comes to mind.

It was a member who had went through some medical issues,
and so they needed

assistance in providing school uniforms for their children.

So I was happy that we were able to assist them.

They actually sent us a picture of the students on their first
day of school,

which I thought was so cool. And they were very grateful that we
were able to assist them.

So that was definitely a rewarding time that I enjoyed.

David Latona:
Oh, that's so great, and helping those kids out certainly does –

Rhowanda Vessel:
Definitely.

David Latona:
– mean a lot. So what's it like for someone when they realize
help is available and that it's coming from their fellow co-op

members?

Rhowanda Vessel:
A lot of times they can't believe that their cooperative is
actually assisting them and that we actually have a program.

So the reaction is pretty good.

David Latona:
Yeah. That's great. I'm sure it's rewarding every day when you
see those folks who realize help is on the way from their

co-op. So let's talk a little bit about the process that members
would participate in to apply for assistance.

So can you walk us through what happens after someone submits an
application?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Sure. So they submit the application.

It can be done online, or they can submit a paper application.

After that application is submitted,
they receive either an email or a letter from me requesting a

certain amount of information or required documentations that we
need.

Once those documentations are received,
then I will review the application and the documentation.

I will schedule a home visit or telephone interview with them.

Once that interview is completed,
then it goes to the foundation's board of directors once a month.

They review those applications and determine if we're able to
assist that member.

And if they are able to assist them,
then I'm the person that notifies that member,

and we will send the check to whatever place they need us to send
it to.

David Latona:
Oh, that's great, Rho. And that's so interesting too,
that you all go so far to ensure that those funds are going to

where they need to go. So you're the one either making those
phone calls or making those home visits to make that direct

contact with that member in need.

Tell me why that step is so important.

Rhowanda Vessel:
So first is to help our membership understand that we are
genuinely concerned about their situation that

they're going through. And so it gives me an opportunity to
develop a more kind of personal relationship with that member,

to understand their need, and why they're applying to the
foundation.

We also want to make sure that,
again, we are good stewards of our memberships money.

So that's the reason why we have these thorough interviews so
that we can make the right decision.

David Latona:
Oh, that's so great. That's great.

And I appreciate the fact that you're saying it's a very careful
process.

And I know that's very important to our members that you would be
careful with those funds that they've dedicated by rounding up

their bill to the nearest dollar.

So, Rho, I know there's needs that come up for a member that
might be an emergency,

like a fire or flood. How does the foundation fit into that need?

Rhowanda Vessel:
So what we consider "emergency" is natural disasters only.

That can be a house fire, hurricane,
tornado, things like that.

Natural disasters is what we consider emergency.

David Latona:
Yeah, because someone's mortgage being late is certainly urgent,
but it might not be considered emergency in the case of the

foundation.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Right. So as soon as that emergency situation happens,
they can reach out to the foundation.

We have a pretty quick process. So our normal applications take
about 4 to 8 weeks,

but with emergency situations, we try to get that done as soon as
possible.

So what will happen is they will call in,
and I would immediately do an interview with them over the phone

to get the story about what happened and the type of assistance
they need.

From there, they may be one request depending on which type of
emergency it was.

For instance, if it was like a fire,
then we may request a fire report.

Once I received that, then I will reach out to our executive
committee.

They're going to make an immediate decision,
and then that member can expect funds as early as 24 to 48 hours.

David Latona:
Oh, wow. That's amazing how the foundation can respond so quickly
like that.

Because a need sometimes arises quickly in a matter of an
emergency.

So, Rho, you mentioned that the DEMCO Foundation has its own
board of directors.

So can you tell me more about that board?

What makes up that board, and how are those folks selected?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Sure. So our foundation board is a little bit different from the
DEMCO board.

We don't actually reveal their identity of who they are because
they are volunteers in our community.

So they are volunteering their time,
but it's just based on if they would like to serve on our board

and if we have a position available,
so.

David Latona:
So those folks that make up that board,
who are they in the community?

What positions do they hold throughout the community?

Rhowanda Vessel:
That's a great question. So they can have positions,
maybe they worked for the state before or they worked

for another organization. They may serve on other boards in the
community.

So it kind of varies. It just depends.

David Latona:
It's great to have those folks with some experience coming in –

Rhowanda Vessel:
Yes.

David Latona:
– to provide that assistance to those members in need.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Yes.

David Latona:
So let's talk a little bit about what the foundation does and
doesn't do.

I know we mentioned about their electric bill.

That's not something that we cover because of our policies and
procedures.

But what are some more things that the Foundation can't assist
with?

Can you talk a little bit more about that?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Of course, the utility bills is what we cannot assist with,
but oftentimes we will refer them to United Way

if they are looking for utility assistance.

But as far as the foundation, what we can assist with,
it kind of varies.

It depends. We have helped in the area of housing before.

Also, if we have members who have health issues,
sometimes we've helped with medical supplies as

well. We have done school uniforms and other various needs,
could be emergency assistance,

but it kind of varies. It just depends on their situation.

David Latona:
Oh, that's good. I'm glad you mentioned that. So I wanted to ask
you more about the school uniforms.

I mean, how does that process work for a member family?

Rhowanda Vessel:
So with school uniforms, it is a shorter process compared to our
normal applications.

Normally with school uniforms, they submit an application,
and it may require fewer documents,

such as like a report card or just a DEMCO bill.

And so that process, it goes to the foundation board.

And if they determine we can assist that member,
it will include sets of uniforms for the student.

That can also vary. The only thing that we will not cover,
such as like school supplies or shoes,

but in the past we have covered the majority of everything else
that's needed for school,

so.

David Latona:
Oh, that's so great. I know that helps a kid have a smile on
their face when they're stepping off that bus,

right?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Yes.

David Latona:
So also, I wanted you to talk a little bit about the DEMCO
Foundation scholarship program.

I know as a father of children in college,
that can make our members' ears perk up when they hear that.

So tell me more about that scholarship program that the
foundation offers.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Sure. So our scholarship program,
members can apply the third week in April until the third

week in June. And then once those applications are completed,
of course,

we have certain documentations that are required.

It goes before the foundation board and whoever is selected for
or recipient of that scholarship award,

the foundation determines how much we can give them.

If it's for the fall, or if it's for fall and spring,
but that's determined by the board.

David Latona:
Great. So Rho, I want to go a little deeper.

So I know when you serve members in this way,
you get to see members at their greatest need sometimes.

But sometimes when you see it day after day,
it's hard to stay motivated.

So what do you do to stay motivated to help those members every
day at DEMCO?

Rhowanda Vessel:
It's very rewarding because I look at it as we are being able to
assist our members in their hard

times, but what keeps me motivated is that we truly care about
our members.

And it's not just about them paying their electric bill every
month,

but it's actually that we're able to serve them in other ways
that goes beyond the electricity.

David Latona:
Oh, that's so great. I appreciate that,
Rho.

So if you could say one thing directly to the members who choose
to participate in Operation Roundup,

those members that are helping provide that resource to help
those families,

what would you want them to know?

Rhowanda Vessel:
I would want them to know that we are very appreciative of what
they contribute to our foundation each month,

to know that those few pennies aren't just sitting there,
but it's actually going back into those communities that you are

a part of. So I would encourage them to just keep contributing
and that we're grateful for it,

and it helps us to be able to serve our membership in a way,
again,

that goes beyond [inaudible].

David Latona:
So great, Rho. You're great with the members.

I think you're a great sales lady.

I mean, you just got me wanting to sign up twice for this
program.

Can they round me up twice for two bucks?

Rhowanda Vessel:
Absolutely. You can pick your amount that you would like to
contribute.

So if you want to contribute more than just a few cents a month,
you just call into our member services department,

and they can set you up. If you want to donate $5 a month or $10
a month.

We've had members that have done that in the past,
so absolutely whatever you would like to donate,

we are very grateful for it.

David Latona:
I'm doing that. Once we get out of the studio. I'm going to sign
up for that. Sounds great.

So Rho, if there's members that want to participate for the first
time,

how would they learn more about the foundation?

Rhowanda Vessel:
So they can sign up at either their app on my DEMCO app,
or they can call in,

and that's 1-844-myDEMCO. If they want more information about the
foundation,

they can call [phone]. And they can speak with me,
and I can give them more information about it.

David Latona:
Excellent. They can get straight to Rho.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Straight to me. Another option is they can visit our website at
DEMCO.org.

They can click on "Community" and then "DEMCO Foundation," and
they can find out information there.

David Latona:
Excellent. I know our website has all the information necessary
to learn more about the foundation.

Rho, thanks so much for being here with us today.

It's been a delight.

Rhowanda Vessel:
Thank you for having me.

David Latona:
Thank you for listening to Co-op Conversations with DEMCO.

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If you liked what you heard, leave us a review and like and share
the episode with a friend.

For Rhowanda Vessel, I'm David Latona.

Let's keep the conversation going.