SECO Energy has contributed $3,500 for Lake County school students through the Educational Foundation of Lake County. As a local not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO believes its contribution bolsters the community and provides much needed financial assistance to dedicated educators.

The Educational Foundation of Lake County is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to serve as the connection between the community and public education, and evaluate resources to enhance the quality of education in Lake County. The Foundation is the direct support organization for Lake County Public Schools and is operated for the benefit of students and teachers.

The funds contributed to the Foundation can support programs such as the Lake County Teacher of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year and Employee and Volunteer of the Year; the LCS Science Fair; the Take Stock in Children initiative that provides deserving low-income young people/students the opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty through education; and Grants for Great Ideas that has awarded hundreds of grants to teachers and principals in support of teaching innovation – impacting more than 100,000 students.

SECO Energy’s $3,500 contribution can also benefit the Foundation’s Apple-Mart, where teachers and social workers shop for free. Each year, new teachers in the district are given a pass to the Apple-Mart where they can shop for school supplies for their classroom once a month. Principals in the district also receive passes to distribute amongst current teachers. The Foundation depends on donations from the community, local businesses and churches to stock school supplies for the Apple-Mart.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “As a not-for-profit cooperative, SECO supports its members by participating in community endeavors that support education. We have deep roots in Lake County and serve over 65,000 families and businesses in that county alone. Financially supporting education is an investment in future community leaders, members and possibly future employees. SECO is honored to donate $3,500 to the Educational Foundation of Lake County to strengthen education in the community.”