It’s not easy to get around when you’ve had two hip replacement surgeries and suffer from both arthritis
and spina bifida. Requiring a walker or wheelchair to get from point A to point B can make even a short trip out the front door to your car or yard a painful, frustrating experience. So, Josephine Towns figured she
could use some help extending a wheelchair ramp that would make it easier for her to reach her driveway at
her mobile home located off Lockhart Road in Denham Springs. She didn’t have to look far to find her locally-owned, non-profit electric cooperative. Towns, 59, made a quick call to the DEMCO Foundation, completed the necessary application process and was awarded the funding to make the ramp become a reality. “I’m so appreciative and very grateful for what the Foundation has done for me. It’s incredible that we have an organization like DEMCO that makes an effort to help people who are in need,” Towns said, adding that the new ramp makes it much easier for her to get to medical appointments and visit friends and family members. DEMCO Foundation Member Relations Representative Chanon Martin said the program utilized by Towns is one of four administered by the Foundation, which is funded through an initiative called Operation Round Up (ORU). Each month, DEMCO members can choose to have their electric bills “rounded up” to the next whole dollar amount and the difference is deposited into a pool of funds used to provide temporary assistance to the elderly, handicapped and other local coop members in need on a case-by-case basis. The Foundation also funds a Christmas gift-giving program, a school uniform program and an emergency assistance program for those whose property has been damaged by flooding, storms or fire. Examples of previous cases include helping with a mortgage or rent payment, medical related expenses, doctor’s office and hospital visits, home repairs and maintenance such as roof and window repairs. Since 1997, the Foundation has contributed $2.8 million to the community, including more than $200,000 in scholarship funds. Martin said the general assistance program caps grants at $2,500. In Towns’ case, she needed just under $2,000 to have the wheelchair ramp constructed. Martin explained that the money is not issued to the beneficiary
but delivered directly to the contractor or company that performs the work after at least two bids are received.
“This is not meant to be an ongoing assistance program,” Martin said. “It’s meant to be there to help people
who need a hand, but who otherwise have the means to support themselves in the long term.” Martin said that the Foundation typically receives about 20 applications for assistance each month, but she said that with the economic downturn that figure has reached about 30 during each of the past few months. Towns, a native of Natchitoches, said she found out about the Foundation after approaching Catholic Services in Baton Rouge for temporary assistance several years ago. “I’m not originally from Baton Rouge and didn’t know about the program. But they have really helped me a lot, and Chanon has been great to work with. She always has a smile on her face. I appreciate what DEMCO has done for me and what they continue to do for the community.” Martin paid a visit to Towns’ mobile home recently to follow up on the ramp construction project and was surprised to be treated to a half-dozen homemade meat pies right out of the freezer and ready to be heated up when Martin got home. The Natchitoches native said most folks who grow up in that part of Louisiana know how to make meat pies and she enjoys preparing them and giving them to friends and family. She gave Martin specific, detailed instructions about how they should be prepared. “It’s one of my specialties and something I like to do for others. I also paint and sew to keep myself occupied,” Towns said. “I live with a lot of pain but you just kind of get used to it. I try to keep myself busy to take my mind off of it.” The DEMCO Foundation was organized in 1997 and operates under the direction of a board of nine community leaders and volunteers representing each of the seven parishes served by the electric cooperative. While Martin
receives each application and conducts the necessary field work, the board reviews and approves each application. Martin said she believes she has the best job in the world because she has the opportunity every day to help those members of the community who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. “I enjoy going out to their homes and visiting with them and talking about their financial situation and what caused their situation,” she said. “This program is designed to be a short-term bridge solution where we can help people who find themselves in a tough situation and feel there’s no way out. They may have hospital bills or can’t meet their mortgage payment or they may have lost their job. It’s very rewarding to be able to help people in their time of need.” Martin said in addition to the occasional meat pie, she receives “stacks” of thank-you notes by recipients wishing to express their gratitude for the assistance, adding that the Foundation has been able to remain viable when many state or federal government programs have discontinued such as those related to Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav. “The money comes straight from the members and averages about $6 per member per year,” she said, noting that the cooperative serves more than 96,000 members. “And it all goes right back into the community where it does a lot of good. For more information about the DEMCO Foundation or to request an application, call 665-0317.
