Co-ops recognize local groups for commitment to community

Each year, a statewide group of electric cooperatives conducts a program that recognizes local organizations — oftentimes nonprofits — that bring value to and make a positive impact on the communities they serve.

Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are part of a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states dedicated to the values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. The Touchstone Energy Community Award program is used to spotlight groups that showcase these same values.

Representatives from each participating cooperative first choose a nominee to be a local winner. Those organizations are awarded a plaque noting their achievement in addition to a cash prize.

From there, local winners are moved to the next step in the process where a panel of judges evaluates various criteria such as the organizations’ focus of efforts, how they create outreach with and involve the people being served, and how they utilize resources.

Following are the local Touchstone Energy Community Award honorees:

• Ruby’s Pantry (East Central Energy, Braham)
• Bundles of Love (Dakota Electric Association, Farmington)
• Let’s Go Fishing Itasca (Lake Country Power, Cohasset)
• 2B Continued (McLeod Cooperative Power, Glencoe)
• The Pregnancy Resource Center of the Park Rapids Area (Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative, Park Rapids)
• Cuyuna Range Youth Center (Crow Wing Power, Brainerd)
• Level Ground (The Door) (Beltrami Electric Cooperative, Bemidji)
• Wealthwood Rod & Gun Club (Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, Aitkin)

The judges chose Level Ground (The Door) as the 2025 winner of Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Community Award, being recognized not only for its service but also its unique model of blending business with compassion. The organization received a crystal award and a $2,000 grant to further its mission of supporting those in need.

“Our communities are fortunate to have numerous individuals and organizations dedicated to making a meaningful difference,” said President and CEO of Beltrami Electric Cooperative Jared Echternach. “As a Touchstone Energy cooperative, we are proud to recognize and honor those who positively impact our communities through their time, effort and commitment.”