Gratitude is sweet at Basin Electric – giving, even sweeter

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Shawn Hammes, Basin Electric administrative assistant and receptionist, with a portion of his haul.

One dollar is a small price to pay for a smile. And in just one week, Basin Electric employees bought each other almost 8,000 of them.

After a four-year hiatus, “Candy for a Cause” made a comeback as part of the co-op’s Commitment to Community Campaign, a fundraising effort benefiting United Way and other charities across Basin Electric’s service territory. For $1, employees could send a candy bar, along with a message, to a coworker.

“We’ve heard really positive comments from employees,” says Jennifer Holen, Basin Electric’s charitable giving administrator. “Gratitude is such a great thing and this is an easy way for employees to show their co-workers that they are thankful for them. That they are appreciated and noticed for the everyday things that we may forget to tell them 'thank you' for. And it's a win-win, because the money raised goes to a great cause.”

Together with the $7,932 raised through Candy for a Cause, employees donated over $50,000 during the campaign. Basin Electric has committed to match employee donations. Commitment to Community is one of seven principles Basin Electric follows as part of the cooperative business model. 

Candy for a Cause fun facts

  • Shawn Hammes, Basin Electric administrative assistant and receptionist at the Headquarters building in Bismarck, was the most popular recipient, receiving 54 candy bars from his colleagues.
  • Over 900 pounds of candy was distributed.
  • Some 30 volunteers and staff members from each of Basin Electric’s facilities, the cafeteria, accounting, mailroom, Information Services and Telecom, and Human Resources, worked together to organize the event, purchase, package, and deliver the treats.
  • About 150 candy bars were left over after packaging treats. The candy was donated to United Way and distributed to children at Bismarck’s emergency homeless shelter.
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    Leftover candy was donated to United Way and distributed to children at Bismarck's emergency homeless shelter. Jennifer Holen, Basin Electric’s charitable giving administrator, is pictured at left with Alisha Huizenga, Missouri Slope Areawide United Way. 

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