Judy Hess of Fonda was nominated by Kerry Noethe, who is a member-consumer of Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association. Judy was selected as a 2024 Shine the Light winner for her work with MAGS 4 Fonda, which is a group of mothers and grandmothers who work to improve the parks and pool in their small northwestern Iowa community. Judy started the group in 2018 and is the sparkplug who comes up with creative fundraisers.

Shine the Light’s $3,000 donation to MAGS 4 Fonda in Judy’s honor will be used towards their current project to improve Fonda’s basketball court with a new VersaCourt surface. Watch Judy’s video at https://youtu.be/JFTfBJ91sA8.

Doug Pralle of Hampton was nominated by Madison Alert, who is an employee of Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative. Doug was selected as a 2024 Shine the Light winner for his work with Compassion Flights, which arranges free air transportation for medical treatment. Doug is a pilot and founded the nonprofit in 2017. Growing up, his family experienced kindness from others when his father was in the hospital and Doug works to extend that kindness to others in need.

Learn more and complete a flight request form at www.compassionflights.com. Compassion Flights will use the $3,000 donation for general operating expenses. Watch Doug’s video at https://youtu.be/ZRUx2ZNoXt4.

Beth Thole of Sibley was nominated by Gary and Karen Trei, who are member-consumers of Oceola Electric Cooperative. Beth was named as a 2024 Shine the Light contest winner for her work with Osceola County Ag Pavilion. As a board member of the local McCallum Museum, she is committed to preserving the area’s agricultural history. She has worked tirelessly to raise funds and help build the Ag Pavilion on the Osceola County fairgrounds. The pavilion includes a farmhouse and a barn that are filled with agricultural artifacts that Beth helped obtain.

The Osceola County Ag Pavilion plans to use the $3,000 donation to purchase multi-purpose tables and a smart TV. Watch Beth’s video at https://youtu.be/Xswm8zA1F9I.

Heather Weers of Center Junction was nominated by Megan Ruley, a member and employee of Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative. With a heart committed to protecting children, Heather started the Jones County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace in 2019. As chapter president, she has been involved with delivering more than 320 beds so no child has to sleep on the floor. The $2,500 donation will help purchase more supplies for bedding and tools to build bed frames. 

Click here to watch a short video about Heather: https://youtu.be/tRlphs4tSSQ

Erica Lindaman of Clarion was nominated by several members and employees of Prairie Energy Cooperative. As a fourth-grade teacher in the community, Erica is well aware of families in need throughout Wright County. She became involved with Gift of Giving during the 2020 pandemic to help provide holiday gifts for kids, and the need for clothes, food and furnishings in the community only continues to grow. Erica is committed to helping others without judgement and coordinates requests for assistance with local resources. 

Click here to watch a short video about Erica: https://youtu.be/WBGVYOXUt2c

Betty Throndson of New Hamton was nominated by her sister Shirley Hoffman, who is a member of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative. Betty and her 14 siblings started Project Flo in 2011 to honor the legacy of their mother, Florence "Flo" Throndsdon. The extended family gathers with friends and neighbors for a week each summer to fix and repair homes in need throughout Chickasaw County. Betty takes on the work of evaluating project requests and coordinating work teams. She is described as the glue that holds the family and the project together. 

Click here to watch a short video about Project Flo: https://youtu.be/9vBJyUJDII0

Deb Johnson of Fairfield was nominated by Kathy Brown of Fairfield, who is a member-consumer of Access Energy Cooperative. An active volunteer in the Fairfield community, Deb's social work experience is invaluable as she serves as a family support liaison for the Greater Fairfield Area Habitat for Humanity. Deb is also known as the "Cookie Lady" as her baking talent comes in handy for providing delicious treats to the student workers during home construction builds. 

Learn more about Deb in this short video: 
https://youtu.be/azUvL8aoJl4

Nicole Low of Eldora was nominated by Paul Lawler of Union, who is a Midland Power Cooperative member-consumer. Nicole co-founded the Eldora Community Garden four years ago as a way to build community and to provide fresh produce for those in need. A registered nurse and mother to two young daughters, Nicole is passionate about public health and overcoming food insecurity in her community.

Learn more about Nicole in this short video:
https://youtu.be/rUHu_OGdR5k

Sharon Van Beek of Primghar was nominated by Laura Leonard of Westfield, who is her daughter and a member-consumer of North West Rural Electric Cooperative. Sharon has been coordinating holiday gifts for young children in need for 30 years, carrying on the tradition that was started by her in-laws. Buckets for Joy has grown over the years and now distributes up to 250 bags each Christmas, relying on donations from the community and sale shopping. The bags contain clothing, socks, mittens, snacks, toothbrushes, crayons and books. 

Learn more about Sharon in this short video:
https://youtu.be/nED_QWKZncY

Suzanne Askelsen of Cambridge is a member of Consumers Energy and was nominated by Carol Gilbert, her mother and a Midland Power Cooperative member. Suzanne was recognized for her work with the Ballard Education Foundation. She was part of the new foundation’s steering committee and served as the first president for four years, identifying event sponsors and taking the lead on fundraising. A mother of six, she makes it a priority to serve in her community.

Learn more in this short video: https://youtu.be/--zQ_gyLRJA

George North of Allison was nominated by Deb McWhirter, a Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative member, for his work with Wilder Park. Driven by his ethos to serve others, George is a retired dentist with a long record of community involvement, including several years as a scout leader. He was instrumental in developing Wilder Park to provide affordable outdoor recreational services in Butler County.

Learn more in this short video: https://youtu.be/IPOO5moqBS4

Marlene Walthart of Estherville was nominated by Dawn Eveleth, a member of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, for her work with the Emmet County Animal Shelter. Motivated by their love for animals, Marlene and her husband Larry have volunteered at the animal shelter for years and continue to serve the facility in various ways. Marlene and Larry also set up a can redemption center next door to raise money for the shelter.

Learn more in this short video: https://youtu.be/A4Sl-v4DrMY