Project Information
"Take Aim at Progress" is a charity sporting clay shoot for Georgia Electric Membership Cooperatives and Vendors to raise money for the NRECA International Foundation.
This project was already developed by the NRECA and other Cooperative friends in the country. The "Take Aim at Progress" program plans to extend the power lines that are already in place out to villages and other rural communities that have never seen a light bulb or had refrigeration for food and medicine: and in some cases, need public lighting for safety.
With your help, volunteers will travel to impoverished countries to build the power lines that the funds we raise will be paying for. The fundraiser shoot will be an annual event possibly growing to regional and national levels as travel to these countries will be ongoing for years to come.
As a team, manufacturers, distributors, agents, representatives and cooperatives, we can unite and make electrifying rural communities of impoverished countries a reality. Let's show our compassion and selflessness while increasing economies and markets that will help us all.
Our Story
After two successful years with the help of several Georgia EMC's and their Vendor Sponsors, the "Take Aim at Progress" Charity Sporting Clay Event raised enough money to sponsor six volunteer Georgia EMC linemen from Coweta-Fayette EMC, Greystone Power and Irwin EMC to travel to Costa Rica in January of 2005 to build a new line extension.
These linemen traveled to Coopelesca Cooperative in Ciudad Quesada and worked with the local linemen to construct a single phase line to serve 21 families that had never had electricity. The linemen spent two weeks of long days climbing poles and pulling wire in an area that was very hot and humid. Though the work was intense, each lineman found the task rewarding.
"Each day we worked, the people watched us from their homes and driveways, knowing they would soon have electricity for the first time. I'd definitely go again. The country and its people are beautiful, and everyone over there was so appreciative. You were welcomed everywhere you went. The women would make us fresh-squeezed juice and sweet bread while we worked on the lines."
— Pat Long, Coweta-Fayette EMC and Keith Bailey, Greystone Power
"Even though we could not speak the same language, we could communicate—we all spoke line work. I built friendships that will always be in my heart and never forgotten. That's why I hope to go back someday."
— Keith Barfield and David Tillery
After the third successful event, six more volunteer linemen traveled to Coopeguanacaste Cooperative in March of 2006 to build a line extension to families and schools that have never had electricity.
How You Can Help
We need your continued support. We are seeking materials to help construct these line extensions. If you are interested in sending volunteers or donating materials, please visit our Contact page for more information.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Register your team today and help bring electricity to communities in need
NRECA International Foundation
"The NRECA International Foundation offers people in developing countries the opportunity to become healthy, productive, and self-reliant through reliable electricity."
The Foundation works to bring the benefits of electricity to rural communities around the world, partnering with local cooperatives to extend power infrastructure to areas that have never had access to reliable electricity.