Giving Tuesday, celebrated this year on Tuesday, Dec. 1, is a global day of generosity that follows Thanksgiving each year. At Piedmont Electric, that spirit of giving isn’t limited to one day. It’s built into who we are as a cooperative, and our members practice it all year long.
Every month, thousands of members round their electric bill up to the nearest dollar to support our Helping Hand Foundation. It’s just a few pennies here and a quarter there, but when we combine our cents, they do real work in our communities. Those funds provide energy assistance to fellow members facing hard times, Bright Ideas grants that help local educators bring creative projects to their classrooms, college scholarships for area students, youth leadership opportunities and grants to community organizations across our service area.
This is the cooperative difference in action. As a not-for-profit cooperative, concern for community is one of the principles that guides everything we do. The Helping Hand Foundation is one of the clearest examples of what that looks like: neighbors pooling small change to be a source of strength and stability for one another.
If you would like to give a little extra this Giving Tuesday, there are several easy ways to support the Helping Hand Foundation, and every contribution is tax deductible:
- Make a one-time or recurring donation on your bill through SmartHub
- Donate online at pemc.coop/donate
- Donate by phone at 800.222.3107
- Mail a check payable to “Helping Hand Foundation” to Attn: Helping Hand Foundation, Piedmont Electric Cooperative, P.O. Drawer 1469, Hillsborough, NC 27278
- Designate your future capital credits to the Foundation using our beneficiary designation form
Need Help With Your Energy Bill?
The holiday season brings joy, but it can also bring financial pressure. If money is tight, you’re never alone when it comes to managing your electric bill, and reaching out early gives us the most options to help.
If you are facing a hardship, Piedmont Electric will extend your due date, no questions asked. To make a payment extension, please log in to your SmartHub account and select “Payment Extensions” under the “Bill & Pay” menu option or call us at 800.222.3107 for assistance.
Energy assistance funds are also available through the Helping Hand Foundation. Also, local agencies in your county, starting with your county’s social services office, can provide additional bill payment assistance. Once an agency approves you, they notify us directly and the pledge is applied to your account. Visit pemc.coop/payment-assistance for a full list of resources or give us a call at 800.222.3107.
However you choose to give…
Thank you for helping keep our community a great place to live, work and raise a family. That is the power of members lending a helping hand.