HUGHESVILLE, Md. (July 17, 2008)—Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently donated a service truck to the Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross to help the organization improve its ability to respond to disasters. The relief organization received a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 that the Cooperative retired from its fleet of vehicles.
"The Southern Maryland Chapter is deeply appreciative of the donation of the SMECO vehicle. As we are a non-governmental organization, we rely on community partners like SMECO to help us provide Red Cross services to our community," said Mike Zabko, chief executive officer of the Red Cross chapter. "This vehicle will allow us to move our trailers and other assets directly to the disaster locations in Southern Maryland when and if the need arises. We continue to need other organizations to emulate the partnership we have with SMECO."
Each year, SMECO employees donate their personal time to benefit a charity in the Cooperative's service area. During the year-long effort, SMECO employees participate in activities to raise funds for the charity. The Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross is the Cooperative's charity for 2008.