Basin Electric employees make a meaningful impact during United Way Day of Caring

On Aug. 12, Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric) employees rolled up their sleeves and dedicated their time, energy, and compassion to the United Way Day of Caring - a community-wide event across Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota, that promotes and encourages giving back to those in need. This year, ten Basin Electric employees had the opportunity to participate in two meaningful service projects designed to help people build stability, find support, and experience dignity during challenging times.

“Every community has individuals who may be struggling, feeling lost, facing uncertainty, or simply needing someone to show kindness and support,” Angie Misek, Basin Electric scheduler II, says. “Sometimes the smallest act of generosity can have a lasting impact on a person's life.”

One group spent the day preparing freezer meals for clients of the Coffee House, a shelter-in-place program operated by Ministry on the Margins. The Coffee House serves as a safe refuge for individuals who have nowhere else to go, offering hot meals, blankets, pillows, and protection from North Dakota’s harsh weather conditions.

Volunteers worked together to prepare meals that will be stored and served in the weeks ahead, helping ensure individuals have access to nourishing food when they need it most. The effort will also help ease some of the day-to-day demands on Ministry on the Margins staff, allowing them to focus more of their time on supporting clients and addressing immediate needs.

A second group volunteered at a Ministry on the Margins transitional housing apartment complex. The program serves people who may be transitioning from homelessness, reentering the community after incarceration, or rebuilding their lives after other difficult circumstances.

Basin Electric volunteers contributed by painting hallways throughout the apartment building, helping create a brighter, cleaner, and more welcoming space for residents as they work toward a more stable future.

In addition to preparing meals and painting, volunteers assisted with organizing supplies, cleaning work areas, and ensuring facilities were ready for future use. The day also allowed coworkers from different departments to connect, strengthening relationships and fostering teamwork while serving a common purpose.

Basin Electric employees receive up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time each year for charitable causes. Whether supporting a nonprofit organization, helping neighbors in need, or serving local communities in other ways, employees are encouraged to seek opportunities to give back throughout the year.

“I believe life works much like the ripple effect,” Misek says. “One good deed can extend far beyond what we may ever see or realize. A simple act of kindness, a helping hand, or a few hours of volunteer service can inspire others to do the same, creating positive change throughout a community.”

Participation in the United Way Day of Caring reflects Basin Electric’s longstanding commitment to community involvement and service. Through teamwork, compassion, and a shared commitment to helping others, Basin Electric employees demonstrate how volunteering can strengthen communities and help build brighter futures for all.