Harris Electric is boosting local organizations with funding as a way to give back to the community that’s helped them get to where they are.
Read more: Bobcats inspire love of reading
“We’re in a position with a lot of our customers and partners to help people,” said George Coles, Harris Electric owner. “This is about us doing everything we can to give back to the people that supported us.”
Coles recognizes that he and his director of operations, Curtis McKay, would not be in the position they are without the support of the community.
“There’s absolutely no way, I or Curtis, would be in this position if we weren’t in receipt of the helping hands of others,” he said. “We can’t be selfish with what we’ve been blessed with.”
In the recent donations, Harris Electric gave back to three Lloydminster and area organizations, giving $500 to Girls Beyond Borders.
“Girls Beyond Borders, my wife actually found out about them,” said McKay. “We have teenage girls and were looking for different organizations in the community and outlets where they can go and find their own voice and their own self confidence.
“It seemed like the perfect fit to give back as part of our sponsorship for the Ladies of the Patch golf tournament that we did in September.”
The idea at the event was originally to have a raffle basket. Instead, Harris made it a draw, giving the basket away and donating the money to Girls Beyond Borders.
Sarah Hogue, founder and executive director of Girls Beyond Borders, says the money will help with a new program in development.
“As a small business, it’s cool to get recognized and get noticed. I’m working on a new program that I’m hoping to offer in the next year after it’s developed,” she said, noting the program will offer more one-on-one mentorship with some young girls in the community.
“Get to work with them, who are looking to be young leaders in the community and start their own initiatives and guide them along that process.”
Hogue says they currently work with girls aged nine to 14.
“This (new) program is going to be geared towards girls age 14 to 16,” she said. “My whole goal is to try and inspire and motivate young girls in the community to be leaders.”
The Paradise Valley and Districts Agricultural Society received $13,000 from Harris Electric.
“We do a ton of work out in the village and for the Ag Society,” said McKay. “George’s kids go to school out there, some of our guys live out there and their families are from there.”
He says the AG Society recently built a new building for hosting events and it was a substantial cost to the organization.
“We knew their funding, they did have funding resources, but we knew they could probably use some extra,” he said.
Connie Adams, office manager with the Paradise Valley and Districts Ag Society, says the new facility was a needed upgrade.
“We used to just rent a tent every year and it was getting quite pricey,” she said.
She said Harris did the electrical work on the building as well as the donation. The new events centre is a big step for the Ag Society.
“We are hoping to use it for like community events, weddings, anniversaries, birthday celebrations, class reunions,” she said. “We’re hoping it’ll be a three-season venue for us and for our community to use.
“We are an that’s here to serve the community and make life in Paradise even better.”
The last donation of $3,000 was made to Residents in Recovery. McKay says they helped get Residents in Recovery into their new location.
“That’s how we really got linked up with them,” “We knew Tyler (Lorenz) outside of that but we didn’t realize how much they actually do.
“We understand how important it is to keep them in the community.”
The money will support feeding families at Residents in Recovery.
“That’s why this gift is gift from Harris Electric is so important,” said Stan Parke, chair of the Residents in Recovery board of directors. This will feed our families.”
The philosophy of giving back for Harris stems from a philosophy they have for themselves.
“No titles, just teamwork,” said McKay. “It’s one of our core values. Every one of our employees has their own business card, but none of our business cards have a title on it.
“We do whatever we can here to support our people, and in turn, all we ask of them is that they go out and do the same for the community.”
Read more: Weaving a haunting experience
Harris Electric owner George Coles. File photo
