|
Presents and 'presence'
This holiday season, combine the two to show loved ones you care
PEOPLE WANT YOUR PRESENCE, not your presents, during the holidays.
 Maybe you've heard that saying. It's a noble thought, but we won't go quite so far. After all, who would deny a child a Christmas gift? Watching a kid gleefully tear into presents represents the joy of giving at its best. Also, the economy still needs a boost. Do your part by shopping with local merchants, especially those served by York Electric Cooperative. That said, here are some ideas to give loved ones, especially the elderly, both affordable presents and your invaluable "presence" this holiday season:
A comforting gift. Know someone who lives in a drafty, older house? Invest in a caulking gun, caulk and weatherstripping and pay him or her a visit. Find weatherization tips here on our website and at TogetherWeSave.com. Though inexpensive, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32 percent and overall energy bills by about $400 a year, the Energy Department says. It's a better gift than a DVD — and the warm memories of your visit will last a lot longer than a movie!
Brighten his or her day — and nights. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), like the ones your co-op has distributed through its Do The Light Switch program, are getting less expensive. Lower energy use compared to incandescent bulbs means they're definitely cheaper to use long term. Lighting accounts for about 10 percent of a typical home electric bill, making CFLs a "gift that keeps giving" — especially for those who still find the up-front cost out of reach.
Speaking of which, CFLs are great for hard-to-reach places where some folks leave lights on, such as in carports or at front doors. Changing bulbs there can be tricky for elderly folks, so grab a ladder and — careful now! — install the CFLs for them.
Give the gift of security. To give them added peace of mind, ask about your co-op's affordable outdoor security lights. We can work out arrangements where you cover the expense. Visit when it's installed. They'll think of you each night when they look out at their well-lit yard.
A hand up, not a hand-out. Some folks hesitate to ask for help. But with winter coming, this trait can be dangerous. If you suspect a loved one might run the risk of getting behind on his or her co-op bill, ask about our third-party notification policy. You can sign up to be notified if a loved one's account becomes overdue. If so, we'll notify you and, if possible, make arrangements to keep his or her lights on.
Like families, co-ops are about working together. We at York Electric Cooperative hope our members recognize that we're working hard for them. We're doing our best to keep service quality up while holding down costs. To that end, we've combined the November and December editions of this magazine. We'll be back with another South Carolina Living in January.
As always, we are extremely thankful for your support. Happy holidays from York Electric Cooperative!
Paul Basha
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Related links:
TogetherWeSave.com
DoTheLightSwitch.com
Security Lights »
Third-Party Notification »
Senior Advantage »
Operation Round Up »
|
