Delivering on Prinicples

Gray clouds blanketed the sky as rain fell that cool November morning, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the eight volunteers who arrived to deliver food on behalf of Meals on Wheels in Cleburne. Laughter, enthusiasm and a can-do attitude permeated the atmosphere as the teams were given insulated containers of warm food and a list of addresses for delivery.

The lives of the  United Cooperative Services employees volunteering that day didn’t always intersect. On this morning, however, they all worked together towards a common goal of helping the community.

Jeff Pannell, vice president of business & community development, said United encourages all of its employees to give one day per year to help the community with a paid day of service.

In 2024, Pannell said United employees have volunteered approximately 350 hours of community service and are expected to volunteer another 80 to 90 hours before the year is over, bringing the total number of hours volunteered to approximately 435.

“One of the seven cooperative principles is concern for community,” Pannell said. “I think our co-op truly, truly believes in that. We’re all community members, so getting to go out and give back to our community is fantastic. It’s a great experience.”

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a nationwide, federally funded program that delivers food to people 60 and older or to those who are disabled, homebound or unable to leave the home without assistance. It provides a nutritious meal, a friendly visit and a safety check for seniors and people in need. Locally, Meals on Wheels in Cleburne serves close to 226,000 meals per year.

Breaking into four teams, the United crews dodged puddles and intermittent showers to deliver more than 80 meals in Cleburne and the surrounding area.

Senovio Delagarza and Forrest Brown went out as a team to tackle a local senior apartment complex, delivering more than 24 meals all in one compact area.

Delagarza, a mechanic helper II, who has never volunteered with United before, said participating made him think about his own life and the older people in his family.

“It makes you think that there are a lot of people out there that need help, and we don’t think about that,” Delagarza said. “We could be doing a little more for them.”

Brown, who is an engineering services technician I - internet, made sure the right meal went to the right person. This was his second year volunteering with United. Previously, he volunteered with Hood County Christmas for Children.

That day, the Meals on Wheels recipients had a choice between baked pollock, a hamburger or a vegetarian meal. Most people could choose between white or chocolate milk, and Brown made sure each order was filled correctly.

The two United employees were greeted with smiles and more than one “God bless you” as they made deliveries, Brown said.

“I was surprised by how close in proximity the need is out there,” Brown said. “When they talked about the numbers of people Meals on Wheels serves, I was astounded. If you want to help somebody, you don’t have to go too far. The need is right here. What I took away from the experience was there were endless opportunities to serve. Getting to actually deliver the meals, see the faces, say hello and chat with the people made all the difference in the world to me. I loved that. It was a blessing.”

Chad Pence went out with one of the teams to deliver food. Pence said he volunteers with his church, but appreciated the chance to build camaraderie with coworkers while volunteering with United.

Last year, Pence, an engineering services manager, volunteered with Field of Flags, a local non-profit organization that honors fallen heroes on Memorial Day every year in Granbury. This year’s field displayed 500 flags and 75 hero banners, according to organizers. Pence was one of 10 United employees who volunteered that day.

“I definitely encourage other people in the co-op to take advantage of the opportunity to give back to the community,” he said. “It’s great to give back, but it’s also great to get to know your coworkers and to build those lasting relationships.”

Three Way Independent School District

Nestled in the heart of Erath County between Glen Rose and Stephenville, Three Way ISD invited United to set up information tables at the elementary and high schools for a career fair.

Corey Pollard, line crew chief, and Brady Cashion, key accounts-business development coordinator, manned an information table at the elementary school while Rygh Fullagar, line crew chief, and Shelby Pafford, marketing/community relations specialist, set up shop in the high school.

The teams brought some of the gear a lineman uses daily, such as rubber gloves, rubber sleeves, climbing gear and a hard hat.

The elementary children who filed through the career fair maintained a level of discipline and good behavior, listening politely and directing questions to the two United representatives.  

Pollard and Cashion educated the kindergarten through sixth-grade contingent, crafting the message for each level that came through.

“Brady was good at communicating our messages to the various age groups,” Pollard said. “You have to tailor the message for the audience. They’re little kids, so Brady tailored each discussion really well. As each new group got older, he would add a little bit more and explain more.”

Cashion said he felt like he planted the seed of interest in the kids, especially the older ones, who seemed interested in working for the co-op and what the linemen do each day.

“I helped them understand what the co-op does, keeping the lights on,” Cashion said. “Having a lineman there with the tools helped them to understand that when the power goes out, these are the guys out there trying to find the issue and fix it. It helped them to know that we’re out there to serve them as well.”

Fullagar said he gave the older children practical advice about their future and the option of learning a trade instead of earning a four-year degree, if they prefer.

“This was the second year that we’ve done the job fair,” Fullagar said. “It’s a good public service we’re doing, getting to see the kids and showing concern for our community.”

Hood County Christmas for Children

Right after Thanksgiving, five United employees banded together to help Hood County Christmas for Children, donating their time and enthusiasm to assist the local charity meet its goals of providing presents and necessities to area children.

Established in 1991, Hood County Christmas for Children not only provides toys, but also other necessities like toiletries, new clothes and new bedding.

Shane Deshoutel, president of the organization, said it takes hundreds of volunteers, donors and a great deal of Christmas cheer to serve more than 1,600 children each year.

“If we didn’t have all the volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” Deshoutel said. “We are very dependent on y’all. This program doesn’t succeed without people giving their time to help us.”

United employees spent the morning unpacking boxes and sorting through items like pajamas, toy trucks, board games, books and other gifts.

Zane Hackler, who had participated  with United’s Meals on Wheels project two weeks earlier, said he again decided to help his fellow United colleagues as they unpacked and organized the mountain of Christmas items.

Hackler said he enjoyed giving back to the community as well as taking a break from his job as a strategic data manager.

“It’s great to help out in the communities we serve,” Hackler said. “It’s very rewarding. It’s nice that the cooperative helps out in the community, lending a hand when it’s needed.”