Recognizing the difficult times that so many people in our area are experiencing, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative (JPEC) wanted to assist a non-profit organization that helps families throughout the six counties they serve.

“The difficulties of 2020 are forcing families to make decisions that come down to basic necessities and we wanted to help. Our donation alone certainly won’t change the world, but we are proud to know that it will make a difference one child at a time,” said JPEC President & CEO, Greg Grissom.

Starfish Orphan Ministry, located in Paducah, Ky., strives to help children who do not have a complete family. Locally they serve between 4,000 and 5,000 families each year in western Kentucky, providing clothes, shoes, coats, car seats, baby items, housewares, toiletries, furniture, beds and appliances. Starfish Orphan Ministry also provides Christmas gifts for children who would not have Christmas otherwise. Because of the pandemic, many planned fundraisers have not taken place. The usual toy drives to help with collecting close to 1,800 gifts, did not take place this year due to donors limiting the number of non-profits they are helping, which has left Starfish with a toy deficit.

Starfish Orphan Ministry executive director, Laura Roberts said, “We had no idea how God would provide this year, but we didn’t lose faith. When JPEC called and said that they were making this unexpected donation, we were so excited, because it will go a long way in providing the toys and gifts that we still need! This gift will impact about 100 children in our community who have been through a tough year already!”