A nonprofit organization that provides support and financial assistance to Minnesotans and their families who are battling cancer is this year’s statewide winner of the Touchstone Energy Community Award.
Angel Foundation accepted the award along with a $1,000 prize from Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, a collective of electric co-ops that provide community support and host an annual awards program to recognize nonprofits doing outstanding work in their area. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) announced the award at its annual meeting March 16.
“This annual award was established to highlight organizations with a strong commitment to the local community, similar values to those of Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.” .
Joe Miller, Dakota Electric Association public relations director and Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives representative
“This annual award was established to highlight organizations with a strong commitment to the local community, similar values to those of Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives,” said Joe Miller, Dakota Electric Association public relations director and Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives representative. “Angel Foundation has demonstrated over the last two decades its commitment to those facing financial and emotional hardship due to undergoing cancer treatment.”
Angel Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance program has provided more than $10 million in aid to 20,000 Minnesotans in active treatment for cancer over the last 20 years. This assistance helps cover the cost of non-medical basic needs such as groceries, gas, utilities and housing payments.
The nonprofit also has a Facing Cancer Together program that gives parents and caregivers the tools they need to parent through cancer and provides kid-friendly activities to provide education, emotional support and social experiences for the whole family.
Each fall, Touchstone Energy cooperatives throughout the state present local awards to individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to their communities. Local recipients are automatically entered in the statewide competition administered by MREA. Dakota Electric Association selected Angel Foundation as its local winner.
“It means the world to us to receive recognition like this from a great organization and community partner,” said Dave Becker, Angel Foundation’s president and CEO. “We are only able to provide these great programs because of wonderful organizations like Dakota Electric and others.”
Touchstone Energy is a nationwide alliance of 700 local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives in 46 states dedicated to the values of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. Nearly all of Minnesota’s 44 distribution cooperatives are part of the national brand, including Great River Energy.
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