by Denise Hawkins

I always look forward to this time of year! It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration. I am continually amazed and thankful for how our customers are more than just clients – you share your lives with us, and we cherish the connections we build. Thank you for your continued support!

A Little Humility (and a Lot of Luck!)

Have you ever had a moment where you thought your words might have gotten you into trouble? That happens to me more often than I’d like to admit! One particular incident involved a trivia night with my daughter and her friends. I was playfully teasing them about how nobody wanted to take over my business someday—it was all in good fun.

To my surprise, a few months later, one of her friends, Cameron, asked if I was serious about hiring new staff. At the time, I wasn’t actively looking, but I knew I had to follow through on my words.

Long story short, we brought Cameron on board, and they’ve become an invaluable member of our team. Their positive attitude and eagerness to learn are refreshing. Cameron has been instrumental in handling our growing number of solar inquiries, filling a gap we didn’t even realize existed. Their amazing local pictures and drone footage have also taken our social media to the next level.

Cameron has even taken on writing many of our blogs, especially those focused on community engagement. Their background in business and marketing has been a tremendous asset to us.

This experience reminds me that even casual words can lead to unexpected and wonderful opportunities. We’re incredibly grateful for Cameron and the positive impact they’ve had on our customers and team.

Connecting to the Community

This year, we focused on strengthening our ties to the community and celebrating the people and organizations that help make it thrive. That’s why we launched our Community Connections blog series, where we’ve highlighted inspiring individuals and groups, including:

Tania from The Sweeterie: The woman behind the Big Block Party!.
Nicola Irving and Kyle Cuchnerek and their organization, The Renaissance Project: The team that save Round Hill School by implementing an innovative agricultural program..
The Open Door: An organization supporting at-risk and homeless youth.
Alberta Public Libraries: Highlighting the invaluable role libraries play in building and supporting community..

Building a Stronger Community Through Giving

We believe in supporting the organizations that make our community a vibrant place to live. That’s why we’re proud to share a list of the many local events and organizations we’ve been able to donate to and sponsor this year, thanks to your support.

Seeing the difference we’re making together fills us with gratitude. It’s the driving force behind our commitment to growing Camrose Energy – the desire to help even more organizations during these challenging times.

The Gathering of the Clans

This year, Camrose Energy proudly sponsored the Flagstaff Scottish Club’s Gathering of the Clans. This vibrant event celebrates Scottish culture in Alberta and brings together people of all ages and backgrounds for a day of fun, tradition, and community.

To Serve and Protect

We are honored to support To Serve and Protect, a group dedicated to providing emotional support for the spouses and partners of first responders. It’s easy to overlook the toll a first responder’s role can take on their loved ones, and this group offers a vital community for them to share, connect, and cope with these unique challenges.

The Big Block Party

Each summer, we proudly sponsor the Big Block Party in Camrose. This annual event is packed with fun and games for the whole family and provides a great opportunity to support local vendors. We love seeing the smiling faces and the community coming together to celebrate and show their support for local businesses.

Camrose Huntington’s Society Chapter

The Huntington’s Society is dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Huntington’s disease. Camrose Energy is proud to support the local chapter, which works tirelessly to provide resources, advocacy, and care for those living with this life-altering condition.

Centra Cam Bowl-a-thon

This year, we sponsored the Centra Cam Bowl-a-thon, an event that raises funds to support adults with disabilities in finding opportunities for independence through skill development, job placement, and volunteer programs. The funds raised go directly toward enhancing their services and improving the experiences of their clients.

Camrose Women’s Shelter

Camrose Energy is proud to have made a significant donation to the Camrose Women’s Shelter to install a solar array on their roof. Once operational, this system will reduce the shelter’s energy costs, allowing more resources to go toward helping women and children in crisis. Supporting this essential cause is one of the ways we’re committed to making a difference.

Round Hill Renaissance Project

The Round Hill Renaissance Project revitalized Round Hill School by incorporating an agricultural program into the curriculum. A few years ago, the school was at risk of closure, but thanks to increased enrollment, it continues to serve the community. Access to education is vital, and we are proud to support innovative programs that ensure schools remain open and thriving.

Eco and Camrose Solar Home Tours

As solar energy continues to grow in Alberta, Camrose Energy supports the Eco Solar Home Tour and the Camrose Solar Home Tour. These events provide an invaluable opportunity for residents to learn about solar energy directly from homeowners who share their experiences and insights.

BEST Foundation

The BEST Foundation supports Bawlf School by providing financial and volunteer assistance, offering children new opportunities to learn and grow. At Camrose Energy, we believe in the power of education and are proud to contribute to the success of young learners in our community.

The Bailey Theatre

Winter utility costs can be particularly challenging for older buildings like the historic Bailey Theatre. To help offset these costs, Camrose Energy provided a donation this January. We’re proud to support this iconic venue and the role it plays in Camrose’s thriving arts scene.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

As part of Giving Tuesday, Camrose Energy made a donation to the local chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association. This vital organization provides support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges. With mental health becoming an increasingly important issue, we’re proud to stand alongside CMHA in their efforts.

Battle River Watershed Alliance

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

Through our Solar Synergy Program, Camrose Energy gifted $10,000 to Canada’s only wolfdog sanctuary. This funding will support the installation of a 43kWh solar system in March, ensuring a sustainable future for these majestic animals as they thrive on their 160-acre sanctuary.

Solar Growth in Alberta

It’s been an exciting year for solar energy! Alberta saw a staggering 82% increase in micro-generation sites, growing from 16,458 to 29,918. Communities like Rosalind even achieved net-zero electricity consumption—a truly remarkable accomplishment.

With so many customers exploring solar options, we published a helpful guide to get you started: What To Look For in a Solar Installer

If you’re thinking about solar, don’t forget to contact us early so we can set you up with our Pre-Solar Rate. It’s a great way to start saving money and reduce your system’s payback time.

Expanding and Evolving Our Community Partner Program

We’re excited to announce that our Community Partner Program is expanding in 2025! While at least 50% of the program will remain focused on Camrose, we’re opening it up to organizations in all the communities we serve across Alberta.

This change means customers outside Camrose will have more opportunities to support local causes close to their hearts. If you know an organization in need of support, encourage them to apply here!

Here’s to 2025!

As we say goodbye to 2024, we want to thank you for being part of the Camrose Energy family. Your support inspires everything we do, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. From all of us at Camrose Energy, Happy New Year!