Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op members continue to give generously to assist area community organizations and individuals through the voluntary round up of their electric and natural gas billings.  Member contributions to the PIE&G Communities First Fund enable awards for grants and scholarships in their local communities within PIE&G’s service area.

At a recent meeting, the PIE&G Communities First Fund Board of Directors finalized review of applications and made awards of $8,000 in grants to the recipients below.

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY

Cheboygan County United Way ($3,000) to purchase food and personal hygiene products for distribution to attendees of two Project Connect events. The first was held in Presque Isle County in Onaway in October. The next event will be held in Cheboygan County in Indian River in April, 2019. The goal of these events is to connect people to local resources and agencies that are available to assist them with needed resources and to help families become more self-sufficient.

MONTMORENCY COUNTY

Tri-Township Fire Department ($2,500) to assist with the purchase of a washer extractor machine to clean Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or “turnout gear” worn by fire fighters. The gear was being sent out for dry cleaning, which was expensive and rendered the gear unavailable to fire fighters for several days. The new washer extractor allows for more frequent and thorough decontamination, laundering can be done “in-house” and in a matter of hours, thereby reducing the time the gear is out-of-service for cleaning. More frequent cleaning also extends the life of the equipment.

The washer extractor machine will be used by Tri-Township Fire Department and surrounding area departments.

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY

Friends of the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center ($2,500) to assist with the purchase and installation of a clothes washer and dryer. The Outdoor Center’s campus has eleven barracks (now dorms) and a combination mess hand and dining hall facility.  The Center can accommodate week-long or weekend overnight experiences for youth groups across Michigan, such as 4-H  and faith-based organizations.  On-site laundry appliances will enable camp administrators to maintain upkeep of the Camp’s kitchen linens and allow prompt clean-up of bed linens and clothing after nighttime accidents associated with youth camps, and with less embarrassment or disruption to campers.