Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) employees teamed up to brighten the start of the school year for students in need. Across its offices, PEC employees donated more than 2,500 school supplies to benefit local Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) chapters in the cooperative’s territory. CASA of Central Texas recruits, trains, and supports volunteer advocates to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in foster care.
Those who received supplies include, CASA of Central Texas serving Hays and Comal counties; CASA of Williamson County; CASA for the Highland Lakes area serving Blanco and Burnet counties; and Bluebonnet CASA serving Kimble County.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at PEC who so generously organized this drive and donated school supplies,” said Brittany Grubbs, executive director of CASA for the Highland Lakes. “Education is so important; we want to make sure that all of our children have what they need to learn and be successful. We’re so proud of this new partnership and the opportunity to shape the future with PEC.”
According to the National Retail Federation, the average household with children in elementary through high school will spend more than $864 on back-to-school items, which is $168 more than in 2019, due to rising costs and inflation.
“We’re thrilled to contribute to our communities and help provide the tools students need to learn and thrive,” said Celeste Mikeska PEC community outreach specialist. “Our employees and their desire to give back is a testament to PEC’s commitment to our members and communities.”
PEC has hosted the drive for the past three years and co-op employees plan to continue the drive on an annual basis.
