CHEC has presented two local nonprofits with grants made possible through the CoBank Sharing Success Grant Program. CoBank is a national cooperative bank that serves rural areas.

The cooperative gave $2,500 to the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation (HICF), which was met with an additional $2,500 from CoBank, to support the Foundation’s mission of providing financial assistance to cancer patients and their families living on Hatteras Island. HICF is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that works to raise funds to help with medical bills, prescriptions and travel expenses.

The cooperative also gave $2,500 to the Outer Banks Buddies, which was met with an additional $2,500 from CoBank. The Outer Banks Buddies is modeled after the national ‘Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America’ program. The group pairs buddies, or volunteers, with youth and elderly residents of Hatteras, to create new connections and encourage participation in local activities. The Outer Banks Buddies hopes to host several fall activities on the island coordinated with Dare County Schools and Dare County Social Services.

These donations were made possible through CoBank’s “Sharing Success” charitable contribution program, which celebrates the vital role that cooperatives play in individual communities across the country. Concern for community is a long-standing cooperative principle. CHEC is happy to join CoBank in support of these worthy causes, as the cooperative work to provide value to members and support the communities on Hatteras Island.