WEC was created by neighbors who banded together to bring electric power to their farms and villages when for-profit utilities would not invest in rural Vermont. Concern for community—a principle shared by all cooperatives—is a priority at WEC. Staff, volunteers, and many members live into it in many different ways—from everyday support services, to donating capital credits to the Community Fund, to seasonal programs.
Member Support Services
The Co-op’s first commitment is to meet its members’ electricity needs as best it can. Every day, Member Services Representatives are available to help members create budgets that keep the lights on. WEC leaders look for opportunities for bill relief for members who are income-eligible, like through the current Affordable Community Renewable Electricity (ACRE) pilot program in collaboration with sister co-op Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC). WEC also partners with community action agencies to design resource programs that prioritize access and equity.
Member households with someone who has severe medical needs should notify the Co-op to ensure Vermont Emergency Management checks on them in the event of a major outage. If members with medical needs move or no longer have an issue that requires wellness checks, please let the Co-op know that, too.
Seasonal Programs
Years ago, WEC launched an internal holiday giving project, inviting staff, Board members, and vendors to contribute to bring fully-trimmed holiday magic—food, gifts, and more—to a local family with children. In 2025, WEC is working with the Barre-based Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation to bring the holidays to a local family, providing grocery cards to Bradford-based Veterans, Inc., and donating to a national family fund for children who have a parent die while employed by an electric cooperative.
Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation helps Central Vermont families with children who are facing temporary or unexpected financial hardship. To learn more: facebook.com/rmhhf
Veterans, Inc. is a regional nonprofit with a mission to end homelessness among military veterans. To learn more: veteransinc.org
The Cooperative Family Fund is a nonprofit developed through the leadership of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in collaboration with National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. It creates trust accounts for the children of parents who die while actively employed at an electric cooperative and helps co-ops support grieving families and colleagues. To learn more: cooperativefamilyfund.com
Community Fund
Nonprofits that work within WEC’s service area offer many benefits to members: a cool place to stay during a heat wave; food and fuel access; social connections for youth, elders, and people in recovery; cultural programming sometimes hard to come by in Central Vermont; and so much more.
Small nonprofits, operated by members of the same communities they serve, provide everyday resources and help folks get through challenging times. WEC members have the option to donate their capital credit refunds to the Community Fund. Through these voluntary member contributions, the Community Fund grants tens of thousands of dollars each year to small nonprofits that serve the communities in the Co-op’s service area. The application process is fast and easy, and when there is great and specific need, the Community Fund can quickly shift its giving focus. During the pandemic and after 2023 and 2024 floods, the Community Fund stepped in with low-barrier funding for the organizations best equipped to offer immediate community support.
Community Fund grants support some favorite seasonal programs in Central Vermont. This December, the Community Fund supported local food shelves and veteran families in WEC territory.
This year, consider donating your capital credits to the Community Fund. Locate the form at washingtonelectric.coop/capital-credits/community-fund-donations. You can also clip and send in the form on this page, or call Dawn Johnson at 802-224-2332.
More Ways To Help
WEC regularly seeks volunteers for committees. Annual meeting and Board elections rely on volunteer-led committees for tasks such as counting votes, determining candidates’ eligibility, and event prep. Eligible WEC members are also encouraged to run for the Co-op’s member-led, democratically elected Board of Directors. If you are interested in running for the Board or joining another committee, contact Dawn Johnson at 802-224-2332.
To learn about other local nonprofits doing good work in WEC’s service area, the annual list of Community Fund grantees is a good resource. Each organization on this list makes a difference right here in Central Vermont. See the most recent list of recipients in the August-September 2025 issue of Co-op Currents.
WARMTH
All electric utilities in Vermont participate in the WARMTH emergency home heating assistance program. Vermont utility customers may contribute by rounding up their electric bill each month. The program is operated through local community action agencies. In WEC territory, that’s Capstone and Northeast Kingdom Community Action, or NEKCA.
To donate, initial the Operation Round-Up box on your electric bill to round up each bill to the next dollar and send the change to WARMTH. If you’d like to contribute more each month, write in the amount. If you bill through SmartHub or would prefer to call, contact Member Services to arrange your donation: 802-223-5245 or 1-800-932-5245. Members may also donate their capital credits to WARMTH.
Members can also donate directly to fuel assistance through their community action agencies: visit capstonevt.org or nekca.org.
If You Need Help
- Call 211 to find any emergency resource you need: food, mental health, fuel, shelter, and anything else.
- If you need help paying your WEC bill, call Member Services: 802-223-5245 or 1-800-932-5245
- If you are in danger of running out of fuel, call the toll-free Emergency Fuel Assistance number: 1-800-479-6151
- For food, housing, weatherization, and other services, contact your local Community Action Agency: either Capstone (capstonevt.org) or Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA, nekca.org)