The Power of Connections

The 2021 ORU Trust Board kicked off its year in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, practicing safety by wearing their masks at meetings and for their photo. From left, John Norwald, John Deutch, Kyle Shell, Redonda Heitman, Blanche Kelly, and Tammy

the money,” says Dan Elliott, a Warren Country resident who served on the CREC Community Trust Board from 2009 to 2014. A retired businessman who previously worked in banking and managed a local grocery store, Elliott’s tenure on this board included four years as secretary and two years as chairman. “It’s very fulfilling, but it’s also a considerable challenge to decide who to help,” adds Elliott, who has also served as a member of the CREC Board of Directors since 2015. “There have been so many deserving individuals and organizations over the years, but one that stands out is a woman who ran a small business and farm. She had MS and wanted a new wheeled cart to help her get around. I visited her at her farm, and the amount of work she put in was just unbelievable. She was a truly outstanding person.” Serving on the CREC Community Trust Board has changed Elliott’s perspective on the importance of serving in the community. “It has taught me some humility by showing me that any of us could find ourselves in a position where we’re unable to care for ourselves, feed our children, or buy them a pair of shoes,” he says. “Serving on the Community Trust Board has also made me more grateful for what I have in my own life.”

Knieb. Not pictured is trustee Lisa Dunham.

Elliott is also grateful that 100 percent of the money is presented to applicants/ recipients because employees and trustees volunteer/donate their time to administer

64 Cuivre River Electric Cooperative