Four charitable organizations were each awarded a $5,000 “Sharing Success” grant by Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) and CoBank. The recipients of the 2024 grants are Bridge of Hope Lincoln County, Anne’s Anchor, Volunteers in Medicine St. Charles and the Tribute to Veterans Memorial. 

“One of our cooperative’s core principles is ‘Caring for Community,’” says Diane Saale, president of CREC’s Board of Directors. “By partnering with CoBank through this program, we can uphold this principle and proudly support local charitable organizations that provide essential services to the communities we serve.”

“Sharing Success” is a matching grant program created by CoBank in 2012. The cooperative bank partners with its customers, like CREC, to support the causes and organizations they care about. CoBank customers can apply for matching grants each year. CREC awarded $2,500 to each recipient this year, and CoBank matched the funds. A total of $5,000 went to each of these organizations. 

• Bridge of Hope Lincoln County helps individuals with the most basic needs by providing emergency shelter and food. The residential space is a short-term housing option for unhoused neighbors as they work to get back on their feet and find safe, affordable housing. They work with individuals to identify their needs and walk alongside them with case management, helping them meet their goals. Their resource center is for community members who need access to the internet, laundry, shower facilities, meals, connection to local agencies and other resources. Learn more at https://www.bridgeofhopelc.org/.

• Anne’s Anchor is an inclusive, not-for-profit organization funded by local individuals, groups and churches. Staff are professionally trained, compassionate individuals committed to serving women and their families. They use a curriculum based on a balanced approach to life that focuses on seven areas identified as necessary for eventual self-sufficiency and success, and support for the mother and child not only before the birth, but especially after the baby is born. For more information, visit https://www.annesanchor.org/.

• Volunteers in Medicine St. Charles (VIM) serves the primary health care needs of uninsured, low-income adult residents in St. Charles and Lincoln Counties. The clinic, founded in 1996, is completely staffed by volunteers – professionals including physicians, RNs, dietitians, pharmaceutical educators and support staff. The clinic does not charge for services and depends upon donations and grants to continue providing assistance. For more information, visit https://www.volunteersinmedicinestcharles.org/. 

• The Tribute to Veterans Memorial in Warrenton features a statue of a woman and child gazing at a Battlefield Cross, as a tribute to the Fallen and Gold Star Families. A red granite wall honors 72 Warren County servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country from WWI to the present. The United States Flag, POW/MIA, and Service Flags are encircled with a Walk of Honor of pavers and benches from all service branches. For more information, visit https://tributetoveteransmemorial.org/. 

Since 2012, CREC and CoBank have awarded a total of $200,000 to organizations selected by CREC (inclusive of this year’s grants). Organizations receiving support have included Honor Flight of Greater St. Louis, The Key Youth Center, Operation Food Search, Compass Health Network, Hope Center of Pike County, St. Charles Community College Foundation, Agape Food Pantry and Our Lady’s Inn. CREC’s board of directors jointly decides which organizations will receive the “Sharing Success” grants.