GCEC Employee Toy Drive aids needy children

SOUTHPORT – During the 2009 holiday season, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative presented toys donated by its employees to the Children’s Home Society.

The toys donated by GCEC were distributed to underprivileged children in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties.

“We were happy to be able to donate to this very worthy cause,” Gulf Coast Electric Manager of Marketing and Member Services Kristin Douglas said.  “These toys provided Christmas presents to children who might not have otherwise received any.”

Children's Home Society is a state and national leader in providing high-quality, community-based solutions to meet the needs of individuals, families and communities.  Created in 1902, CHS is the largest and oldest statewide not-for profit organization providing services to children and families in Florida.  The Emerald Coast Division serves children and families each year through a full spectrum of prevention and intervention programs.  Some services include adoption, early intervention programs, group home, dependency case management, dependency counseling and substance abuse support.   CHS is the fourth-largest nongovernmental not-for-profit organization in the United States and Canada accredited by the Council on Accreditation.  Currently managing the cases of nearly one-third of all children in Florida’s foster care system, CHS is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. and offers services in more than 100 locations by more than 1,500 staff members dedicated to providing child-focused, family-centered care.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is part of the Touchstone Energy® national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to customers large and small.  GCEC serves approximately 20,500 meters in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties and in the municipalities of Wewahitchka, Ebro, Lynn Haven, White City, Fountain and Southport.