A big “thank you” for small gestures

April 2025

If you’ve ever stepped into a small-town diner, you know the feeling — the smell of fresh coffee, the murmur of familiar voices, the nods and smiles exchanged between neighbors. It’s not just about the food; it’s about belonging. Jobe’s Country Boy Drive-In is one of those places where stories are shared, friendships are forged and a char burger can feel like coming home.

That sense of connection runs deep in rural Oklahoma. It’s in the way your co-op lineworkers show up, rain or shine, to restore power after a storm. It’s in the students rolling up their sleeves at the Shop Rats Showdown, proving that skilled hands and hard work will always have a place in our future. And it’s in the story of Three Rivers Meat Co., where a local need sparked something bigger ­— a place that not only supports ranchers but brings a community together.

At the heart of it all is the cooperative spirit — the idea that we’re stronger when we stand together. This April, as we recognize National Lineworker Appreciation Day, I encourage you to take a moment to thank the men and women who keep the lights on. A small gesture can mean the world.

I think about that a lot as a mom of two little ones. My three-year-old has recently discovered the magic of thank-you notes. They’re usually crayon scribbles with stickers covering half the page, but she narrates what she is “writing” and I can see how much it means. A simple “thank you” matters, no matter how it’s delivered.

And sometimes, appreciation is as simple as just seeing people — the lineworker up in a bucket in the middle of a storm, the rancher putting in long hours to keep food on our tables, the neighbor who stops to check in when they don’t have to. A wave, a handshake, a kind word — these moments remind us that no one stands alone in a rural community.

Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives exist for one reason — to serve you. And while the challenges of powering homes, farms, and businesses continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: Our commitment to keeping rural communities strong.

Thank you for being part of this co-op family.