ESP One of Several Beneficiaries of Walton EMC

With back to back-to-back late summer events, employees at Walton Electric Membership Corporation continue to exemplify the cooperative principle "concern for community" by raising $20,600 for three worthy organizations.

First, at the third annual Charity Sporting Clays Shoot, 115 shot gunners from across Georgia each tried to break 100 elusive clay targets thrown in a variety of configurations. The shooter scoring the highest in each of three classes walked away with a new shotgun. The event took place near Griffin at the Cherokee Rose Gun Club.

"Our charity shoot keeps growing," said Kathy Ivie, Walton EMC community specialist. "We doubled participation over last year, which means we raised a nice amount -- $15,200 -- for the Atlanta 2-Day Breast Cancer Walk."

Next, the cooperative's headquarters was the site for the 11th annual Charity Motorcycle Ride. A leisurely ride through the scenic Georgia Piedmont, this year's event benefitted Camp Sunshine, an organization that helps children with cancer enjoy the same everyday activities as other kids.

The ride netted $2,400 for Camp Sunshine. The money will go toward the group's weekend and summer camping programs held at facilities near Rutledge.

Last, Extra Special People (ESP), a Northeast Georgia organization that serves developmentally disabled children, was the beneficiary of $3,000 from the second annual Bud Wiley Memorial Golf Tournament at Lane Creek Golf Club near Bishop.

Wiley, an active Walton EMC board member and supporter of ESP, passed away last year.