Early Christmas Present This Week for Strasburg

(ON HAND FOR THE CHECK PRESENTATION TO THE VILLAGE OF STRASBURG WERE, LEFT TO RIGHT: AARON JOHNSON, VP CoBANK; JIM CONNELL, VILLAGE TRUSTEE; JUSTIN KRILE, PARK COMMITTEE; LINDA OAKLEY, VILLAGE CLERK; ROBERT ANDERSON, VILLAGE TRUSTEE; JIM MATLOCK, C-O-O SHELBY ELECTRIC CO-OPERATIVE; AND GARY KULL, PARK COMMITTEE)

Christmas came early for the Village of Strasburg this week as representatives from Shelby Electric Cooperative and CoBank presented Linda Oakley, the village clerk, not only a symbolic check. but an actual check for $10,000. A few trustees and fund raising committee members were also on hand. The cooperative donated $10,000 to the park renovation fund that included a match from CoBank as part of their sharing success program.

The village is trying to raise money to renovate their park in time for their 150 anniversary coming up in 2024.

Oakley was very excited and very enthusiastic of the donation. "It is great to see Shelby Electric Cooperative step up and help out smaller communities like this and we really appreciate their donation. It was like getting an early Christmas gift," exclaimed Oakley.

"While we appreciate the acknowledgements when the cooperative is able to help out in some small way, it is about the project, the town, and the people in those towns - it isn't about us", said cooperative spokesperson Kevin Bernson. "It was great and really FUN to visit with them this morning and present them with the donation," continued Bernson.

CoBank has been able to donate 56 million since the inception of Sharing Success program in 2012 and Shelby Electric Cooperative has been able to hand out $115,000 to area groups with the CoBank match.

"For the cooperative, it is actually one of the core principles of being a cooperative ... commitment to community," concluded Bernson.

CoBank, headquartered just outside Denver Colorado, is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending institutions chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure, and rural communities.

Shelby Electric Cooperative (SEC), headquartered in Shelbyville, is a member of Touchstone Energy — a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small. More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states deliver energy and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. SEC is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 10,000 meters over 2,203 miles of line in parts of Christian, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie, Sangamon and Shelby counties. For more information visit shelbyelectric.coop.

The Village of Strasburg has a population of around 600 residents. The village has begun a fundraising campaign to build a 125’ x 45’ pavilion next to the ball field complete with ADA-compliant bathrooms, concession stand, Lions Club storage, softball storage, and a kitchen with open counter to include a 40 x 60 covered seating area. In addition, plans are being made to add several ADA-compliant pieces of playground equipment, resurfacing of the basketball and tennis courts, and add an oil and chip walking path. Total cost estimates are around $583,000. A State of Illinois 50/50 grant has been applied for by the Village of Strasburg.