Hurricane Relief Fund Established to Help Cooperative Employees

Co-ops are staffed by people who live in the communities they serve. At least 115 families of co-op employees from DEMCO, SLECA, and WSTE incurred significant damage to their homes from Hurricane Ida.  The Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives has established a fund to assist them with their recovery and help address their long-term issues.

“These employees leave their loved ones and damaged homes behind to restore power to their community,” said Interim ALEC CEO Addie Armato.  Employees will spend several weeks working their cooperative’s restoration efforts.  “They have to put their personal lives and families on the side,” said Armato.  “This means a lot of time when they return, their homes are beyond repair and some will have nothing to return home to.”

Hurricane Ida was one of the worst storms in Louisiana’s history.  Three of ALEC’s member cooperatives received extensive damage.  SLECA has established a temporary office in their parking lot due to the severe damage at its Houma office.  Electric cooperatives have always supported each other through mutual-aid efforts, supply drives,  and donations to the ALEC Hurricane Relief fund.

The Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives is accepting donations to assist the co-op employees who have suffered losses and major damage to their homes due to Hurricane Ida.  Please send donations to the ALEC Hurricane Relief Fund, 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.  If any questions, please email Beama Pierce (accounting@alec.coop) or call 225-293-3450, ext 119.