Carroll EMC has been named the 2012 Georgia EMC of the Year and is the recipient of the industry’s 2012 Community Service and Volunteerism Award.

The award announcement was made Wednesday by Carroll EMC President/CEO Chip Jakins. The honors were presented in a Nov. 12 ceremony at the Georgia EMC annual meeting in Savannah.

“Earning this award not only reflects Carroll EMC’s corporate citizenship through the continued support of our board of directors, but is a direct result of incredible efforts that our employees make to better our communities,” Jakins said. “Whether serving our membership, raising money for a special cause or tirelessly dedicating their personal time, our people make the difference. For us, that’s what being named cooperative of the year is all about.”

Carroll EMC was praised for numerous giving programs including community scholarships, EMC Foundation grants, employee donations of time and money to various causes, fundraisers and volunteer activities, which benefit hundreds of organizations and causes.

“The contributions by Carroll EMC are so numerous that it’s difficult to capture all of them,” Bill Verner, vice president of external affairs with Georgia EMC, said in the awards ceremony. “But it’s safe to say that at every level in the organization, the responsibility to serve is enormous and their contributions reach every corner of the community — whether it’s through civic, cultural, educational, humanitarian or patriotic assistance.”

In 2011, Carroll EMC distributed about $41,000 through its Bright Ideas program, along with $21,000 to local food banks; $4,200 to 4-H Clubs; $8,500 in student scholarships and $90,000 in impact grants affecting nearly 60 organizations.

Organizations aided by Carroll EMC include the American Cancer Society, Carroll Central Marching Band, Carroll County Sertoma Club, A-Day for University of West Georgia, Carrollton Lions Club, Alzheimer’s Association, American Red Cross, Haralson County Wildlife Association, West Georgia Technical College Foundation and the Carrollton and Bremen Rotary Clubs.

In addition, Carroll EMC employees were recognized for their many fundraisers and donations which play an important part in the co-op’s commitment to the community. Activities range from supporting local law enforcement, cancer awareness, Keep Carroll Beautiful, Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

Carroll EMC was also recognized for activities extending beyond the local area.

In the last 12 months, Carroll EMC linemen have traveled to Maryland following Hurricane Irene; to north Georgia after Tropical Storm Lee; to Maryland following Hurricane Isaac; and to Maryland and Virginia following superstorm Sandy.

Employees also volunteered two weeks of their time to build power lines in remote areas of Costa Rica, for residents who have never experienced the life-changing benefits and luxury of electricity.

Carroll EMC, headquartered in Carrollton, provides electricity to more than 49,000 accounts serving Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, and parts of Floyd and Troup counties.

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state’s 42 electric cooperatives, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Through this statewide network, the EMCs provide electricity and related services to more than four million people, half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area.