Minnesota Rural Electric Association raises record amount for burn centers at golf benefit
The 19th Annual Burn Center Golf Tournament, hosted by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA), raised a record-setting $64,606.30 for Minnesota’s three specialty burn centers. The charity event took place at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker on July 19.
This event brings together line workers, electric cooperative employees, medical professionals, and industry partners to support these crucial medical facilities and the lifesaving work they do.
“We’re immensely grateful for the strong support at this year’s tournament, which raises crucial funds for burn victims and highlights the important work of life-saving caregivers,” said Darrick Moe, CEO of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association. “The generosity and dedication of our cooperative community—golfers, sponsors, and volunteers—make a real difference for those impacted by electrical injuries and severe burns.”
The Minnesota Rural Electric Association represents Minnesota’s electric cooperatives, which collectively supply power to over 1.7 million Minnesotans. As electric utility linework remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the country, this year’s tournament also aimed to raise awareness about the potential hazards, treatments, and outcomes of electrical contact accidents.
Since its inception in 2006, the Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s Burn Center Golf Tournament has been a beacon of hope, raising over $500,000 for burn centers at Regions Hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center, and Essentia Health. These centers provide critical care to line workers and others who face serious risks while serving their communities.
Additionally, $1,500 was donated to the Rural Electric Cooperative Fund (RECF). The RECF is a 501(c)3 fund managed by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association. The funds’ purpose is to provide donations to the families of Minnesota’s cooperative employees during times of personal crisis, to defray some of the families’ unexpected expenses.
The Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) is a nonprofit trade association serving Minnesota’s electric cooperatives. MREA provides legislative and regulatory representation, director and employee education programs, technical training for electric cooperative line workers, and serves as the focal point for cooperation among cooperatives. Minnesota’s 44 distribution cooperatives serve about 1.7 million Minnesotans in all 87 counties and operate the largest distribution network in the state, with more than 135,000 miles of electric lines.