Every October, cooperatives across the country celebrate National Co-op Month. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what makes cooperatives different and why that difference still matters today.

At Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, we’re “Celebrating the Real MVPs” at our Customer Appreciation Events. And when we say MVP, we’re not talking about superstar athletes.

We’re talking about you.

One of the things that sets a cooperative apart is that you’re more than a customer. You’re also an owner. You receive our services, guide our future through an elected board of directors and share in our success through local investments.

That ownership connection influences the decisions we make every day. It shapes how we plan for growth, maintain reliability, invest in new technology and support the communities we call home. Unlike companies focused on delivering profits to distant shareholders, cooperatives exist to serve the people who use them.

That’s a responsibility we take seriously.

For nearly 90 years, Gibson Electric has been guided by principles that put people first. We believe local voices matter. We believe communities are stronger when neighbors work together. And we believe success should be measured not only by the services we provide, but by the positive impact we make across West Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Our team works hard to provide the service our customer-owners deserve, but some of the most meaningful parts of our jobs are the relationships we build along the way. That’s one reason we look forward to our Customer Appreciation Events each year. They give us a chance to step away from our daily routines and spend time with the most valuable people in our cooperative.

This National Co-op Month, we hope you’ll join us at a Customer Appreciation Event so we can say thank you in person. We are proud to serve you, proud to be part of your community and grateful that you’re the real MVP behind everything we do.

Events will be held on the following dates from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Ed Jones Agriplex in Trenton

Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Clinton Customer Service Center

Thursday, Oct. 8, at Alamo Customer Service Center

Thursday, Oct. 22, at Greater Vision Church in Troy

Thursday, Nov. 5, at Ellington Assembly Hall at Reelfoot State Park in Tiptonville

Enjoy a free barbecue sandwich, chips, drink and dessert. At each event, customers can enter to win a Stanley cooler, Blackstone electric griddle, pair of CGI rocking chairs, flat-screen TV, $200 bill credit, three free months of Gibson Connect or a gift basket valued at $250.