10/12/2025
Updated from UEC
Umatilla Electric Cooperative Honored with Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 2025 Concern for Community Award
HERMISTON, OR (December 2025) – Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) has been awarded the 2025 Concern for Community Award by the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA), recognizing the cooperative’s efforts to serve and support the Boardman community in the wake of the devastating Kinkade wildfire. UEC’s leadership in response to the July 18, 2025 wildfire was selected as this year’s standout example of Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community.
When the Kinkade wildfire tore through Boardman, it destroyed five family homes, displaced dozens of residents, and demolished the community’s only food resource - the Boardman Food Pantry. The fire also damaged critical energy infrastructure across the area. UEC line crews were immediately dispatched to protect public safety, de-energized power lines during the fire and worked tirelessly to restore electricity under dangerous conditions, with many employees working more than 48 hours straight. But as the smoke cleared, it became evident that the community’s needs extended well beyond power restoration. Families needed stability, access to food, emotional support, and a sense of hope, and UEC mobilized to help deliver all of it.
UEC provided financial support to help rebuild the Boardman Food Pantry in a permanent and sustainable location, a contribution that was later matched by CoBank through their Sharing Success program. The pantry was able to resume operations within a week in a temporary location, ensuring that hundreds of households relying on twice-weekly food distribution experienced no interruption in access to essential resources. UEC employees also volunteered their time at the temporary pantry site, helping sort donations, support distribution efforts, and stabilize food access for the many families affected by the fire.
The positive impact of UEC’s response reached far beyond Boardman. Relief funds and volunteer efforts provided stability for displaced families, renewed operations at the food pantry prevented gaps in service, and excess donations generated through awareness efforts were shared with surrounding communities. UEC also strengthened partnerships with CoBank, the American Red Cross, local churches, and other community organizations, helping to reinforce its role as a trusted, dependable, and collaborative partner. Employees expressed pride in serving during a time of crisis, and member trust in the cooperative deepened as residents witnessed UEC’s genuine commitment to care for the communities it serves.
While the Kinkade Fire was a single emergency, the cooperative’s response reflects an ongoing culture of service and community stewardship. UEC has long supported the Boardman Food Pantry and remains committed to helping the community rebuild for the long term.
This award reinforces that Concern for Community - Cooperative Principle #7 - is not just a statement on paper for Umatilla Electric Cooperative. It is a way of life, guiding every decision and inspiring the cooperative to show up for its members not only to keep the lights on, but to bring long-lasting strength when it is needed most.
About Umatilla Electric Cooperative
Umatilla Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility serving over approximately 11,000 members in Northeastern Oregon. With a focus on safety, reliability, and affordability, UEC is committed to powering growth, supporting local communities, and investing in a strong energy future.
