ELLERBE — This past summer, Analuz Carrillo of Ellerbe was chosen to represent Pee Dee Electric as part of the Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
Sponsored by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Pee Dee Electric, the youth tour is a week-long experience that affords high school students the opportunity to visit Washington to learn about the branches of government, the cooperative business model and meet with state representatives.
Inspired by her experience in Washington, Carrillo decided to take on a service project in her local community with the support of both Pee Dee Electric and an organization called generationOn; a global youth service organization that awards service grants to youth who wish to make a difference in their communities.
For the past two years, generationOn has partnered with the Rural Electric Youth Tour to fund service projects across the U.S. and award grants to one recipient per state, per year. Carrillo was the recipient for the state of North Carolina in 2015.
“I am honored that I was selected by generationOn to represent North Carolina in this national program,” Carrillo said.
Carrillo started out with a simple idea — she wanted to help others; so she began volunteering at Our Daily Bread, a local food pantry in Rockingham. Our Daily Bread serves more than 600 families a week in Richmond County, providing canned food and staples that many take for granted.
Because of her time spent as a volunteer for Our Daily Bread, Carrillo understood the impact that even a small organization could have on a person’s life and therefore, decided to organize a countywide canned food drive to benefit Our Daily Bread and the families it serves.
“While we may not be able to end hunger across America, there is no reason why we cannot have an impact in our local community,” said Carrillo.
So, that’s exactly what she set out to do.
Carrillo set a goal to collect 7,500 cans of food in honor of Pee Dee Electric’s 75th anniversary, as a way to say thank you to Pee Dee for its support and for the opportunity to be a part of the youth tour.
“I am beyond blessed and thankful for having this opportunity,” Carrillo said. “It never crossed my mind that spending a week in Washington would change my life forever.”
Carrillo worked tirelessly to garner support from schools and businesses throughout Richmond County. For almost two months, Carrillo collected cans and delivered them to Our Daily Bread.
On Dec. 8, Carrillo made her final food delivery to Our Daily Bread, completing her mission to collect 7,500 cans of food and give back to the community she said had given her so much.
“On behalf of Pee Dee Electric, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, generationOn and Analuz, we would like to say thank you to all those who supported and participated in the food drive,” said Donnie Spivey, CEO of Pee Dee Electric. “We could not be more proud of Analuz and her desire to make a difference in our community.”
Mineral Springs Elementary, Monroe Avenue Elementary, Ellerbe Middle School, Washington Street School, the Richmond Senior High School Senate and Mineral Springs Beta Club helped with the canned food drive. Cortek provided the collection boxes.
Ashley Haynes is a communications specialist for Pee Dee Electric.