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Let's all 'figure from zero'

Message from the President and CEO
November, 2007

You never know where you'll find a pearl of wisdom. We picked one up in the 2003 documentary film "Tobacco Money Feeds My Family," by North Carolina native Cynthia Hill. Maybe you've seen this excellent film on public television.

There's a scene where one farmer, Robert Jenkins, praises his neighbor, sharecropper Willie Marvin Allen. Jenkins' words might just help you keep your perspective this Thanksgiving. They certainly help us to count our blessings accurately.

Jenkins says of Allen, "He likes nature and anything that God provides. ... He's a man of great faith. He figures from zero. He figures anything he's got is better than nothing. A lot of people now figure from 100 percent and that gives them a lot of room to complain. But he figures from zero. ... Whatever he's got, he's been blessed. The Lord has blessed him."

Today, it seems, too many of us take our blessings for granted. We've all done it. In a time of plenty, it's all too easy. But perhaps if we all followed Willie Marvin Allen's lead and "counted from zero," we'd be more at peace with ourselves.

Personally, I've often found it refreshing and reassuring to talk with others with Mr. Allen's wisdom, namely our more senior co-op members. Most of them are still grateful for the simple things in life: good health, a comfortable home, family and loved ones. They sometimes add reliable, affordable and convenient co-op electricity to the list.

It's a good reminder of how, today, we have so many luxuries that our grandparents and great-grandparents didn't have — luxuries that co-op power afforded. Things we shouldn't take for granted.

In the accompanying list, you'll find plenty to be thankful for. Every time you use one of these items, take a moment to thank the people who formed our co-op back in 1941. While you're at it, thank the good Lord, too.

And, speaking of giving thanks: We thank you for supporting our cooperative. Your support today is just as important as the support given by our co-op's original members. At York Electric, every member counts.

Be thankful for...

As our more senior cooperative members remind us, today we have many luxuries that rural residents could only dream of in the days before York Electric was established. Most early co-op members started out with just lighting. Here are some other electric powered conveniences for which we can all be thankful:

Paul Basha
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Related Links

Operation Round Up: Your Sharing is making a difference »
History of York Electric Cooperative »
Outreach efforts start with those just starting out in life »
Co-op's community connections run deep »
Cooperative members helping outreach effort reach a milestone »