Each year on the Saturday prior to Labor Day, Southern Pine Electric Cooperative hosts its annual meeting and member appreciation day. All co-op members and their families are invited to attend the event which is held at W. S. Neal High School in East Brewton, Ala.
The day offers many types of entertainment, including a professional Southern Gospel singing group and a local gospel task force group. The youth program features face painting, games, music and a magician. Children can enjoy balloons, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and ice cream to their hearts content. Each year from 600 to 800 youth take part in this exciting program.
D. W. McMillan Hospital of Brewton provides a free health fair for all members and their families. Hospital staff members perform blood pressure checks, and AccuChecks; dispense information on various self-help and support groups, as well as educational programs offered by the hospital and other area agencies. They also dispense free glucose and cholesterol testing vouchers that may be redeemed at the hospital at the members' convenience.
Registration for the event begins at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 12:50 p.m. The business portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. At this time names are pulled at random for numerous prizes and voting for board members occurs. The general manager of Southern Pine gives a state of the cooperative speech, Washington, D. C. Youth Tour winners for the year are recognized and other important business issues are addressed.
The Annual Meeting concludes around 2 p.m. with the announcement of the Grand Prize winner--the winner of a used cooperative vehicle!
Generally, more than 3,000 members and their families attend this exciting event each year.