It's one of our guiding cooperative principles - Concern for Community. That is why EnerStar is proud to partner with one of our lending partners, CoBank, to offer the Sharing Success Grant. Recipients must be a designated 501(c)3 organization. Some organizations without that designation that may qualify include schools and government entities. The recipient must be located in or serve the communities served by EnerStar Electric Cooperative. If you know of an organization that would be a deserving candidate for a Sharing Success Grant, contact EnerStar's Britta Baker at 1-800-635-4145.
CoBank Sharing Success Grant Recipients
2022
Martinsville Ag Fair - Clark County Fair - Edgar County Fair
Funds used to upgrade facilities at each of the fair locations.
2021
14 Area Volunteer Fire Departments
Funds used for a variety of uses including thermal image cameras, new heart defibrillators, grain bin rescue classes, and much more.
2020
Area schools - Paris Crestwood, Kansas, Chrisman, Shiloh, Oakland, Martinsville School, Marshall
Funds used to assist schools with government mandated COVID expenses not reimbursed to the schools
2019
Edgar County Food Pantry - Chrisman Food Pantry - Northern Edgar County Ambulance Service
The food pantry funds were used for food purchases for needy families in Edgar County. The ambulance service which serves the northern part of the EnerStar service territory used funds to upgrade a heating system at ambulance garage
2018
Clark County Sheriff Department - Edgar County Sheriff Department
The Clark County Sheriff Department purchased purchase ballistic vests for the department for the probation departments. In Edgar County, the sheriff department replaced an older fingerprinting system that was purchased in 2004 that was well beyond its 10-year life span. It was a paper and ink method that could not be connected to a network to send files to the States Attorney, Illinois State Police, or the FBI. Funds were used to purchase a Law Enforcement Live Scan System. It is a digital system which will also allow for employment and background checks.
2017
Oakland Food Pantry - Clark County Park District
The Oakland Food Pantry was gifted a building to use for food storage and distribution. Grant funds were used to replace flooring, install new plumbing in bathroom to bring it up to code, and the electric service was upgraded as the facilities could not adequately run the food storage freezers.
The Fay Pickering Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails, located at Mill Creek Park, is a nationwide high-ranking trail. To further enhance the trails, the grant funds were used to develop a bike/foot path across the lake’s dam, connecting the 8 miles of existing trails. The single track, dug out mostly by hand, attracts riders and event participants from all over the Midwest.
2016
Twin Lakes All-Ability Playground
Assisted with playground construction in the heart of Paris’ Twin Lakes Park that is specially designed for children of all abilities, where children with physical limitations can play equally with others
2015
Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties
Donated to HRC’s capital campaign to expand its comprehensive behavioral healthcare in east central Illinois
2014
University of Illinois Extension - Edgar and Clark counties (4H)
To further develop educational youth and adult programming, funds were used to purchase computer tablets and cooking school kits and new copiers for both the Clark and Edgar County offices. The Extension service was able to use the funds to match with another grant from the State of Illinois to receive an additional $7,500.
2013
Marshall Food Distribution Center & Martinsville Food Pantry
Grant funds for two food pantries serve residents in Clark County
2012
Paris High School Construction Fund
During school construction, which is served by EnerStar, funds used to furnish a science and a math classroom. On a side note, that same year, EnerStar also secured a $75,000 Power Moves grant that was used for energy efficiency initiatives including a geothermal heating unit, LED lights and motion sensors. The cooperative was also instrumental in the school securing a $100,000 Clean Energy grant from the state.