Oconto Electric Cooperative and Bay Lakes Companies, LLC are proud to announce that the Oconto Falls Community Library has received a grant of $1,000 through the Community “Change” program.

Joan Denis, director of the library, has been working with the teachers from Washington Middle School in Oconto Falls to update books in the library that will accommodate the required reading list of middle school students. “This grant will help the library tremendously in updating our reading material for young teens,” exclaims Ms. Denis. “It has allowed me to purchase several hundred books for the library.” It is her goal to get more young readers in the library to begin a lifetime habit of reading. Currently the library has 4,500-5,500 books and materials checked out monthly.

Pictured are Pam Langlay (left), OEC representative and Joan Denis, director of the Oconto Falls Community Library with some of the books purchased through Community “Change”.

Community “Change” is an organization created by the members of Oconto Electric Cooperative and Bay Lakes Companies, LLC. Community “Change” money comes from members of Oconto Electric Cooperative who have volunteered to have their monthly electric bills rounded up to the next whole dollar. The extra money is then deposited into a separate account called Community “Change”. As money is awarded, Bay Lakes Companies, LLC matches all funds donated by Oconto Electric Cooperative members.

Clubs, civic groups, charitable organizations and individuals with special needs can apply for Community “Change” funds. A Board of Directors (completely separate from either Oconto Electric Cooperative or Bay Lakes Companies) reviews applications quarterly and makes monetary awards. To date, Community “Change” has awarded over $70,000 since the program began in January 2000.

Bay Lakes Companies and Oconto Electric Cooperative are very proud of the Community “Change” program which allows both businesses to help local non-profit organizations.