Line Life Podcast: ICYMI: Lighting the Way for the Line Trade, Part 2

For the second part of our audio story, "Lighting the Way for the Line Trade," we are featuring other special individuals who have made a difference in their communities and given back to the line trade.

The audio story, which is narrated from the feature article in the 2024 Lineworker Supplement, highlights the volunteer work of Chad Dubea, the founder of the Fallen Linemen Organization (FLO); Melissa Dawe, an apprentice lineworker and volunteer firefighter; and Paul Koehler and Jason Novak, Ameren Illinois journeymen lineworkers who are leading the way to raise funds for St. Children's Research Hospital through the Climbin4kids program.

Listen to the episode to hear how each one of these individuals is paving the way to a brighter future by donating their resources, time and talents. You can also learn how you can help join them in their volunteer efforts.

Make sure you stay tuned for the end of the episode, when Novak, a member of the Ameren Illinois top journeyman team at the 2024 International Lineman's Rodeo and Koehler talk about this year's Climbin4kids program, which raised more than $83,000. Learn more by reading the story online.

HOW TO HELP: WAYS TO GIVE BACK

Lineworkers who want to give back to communities and causes at home and overseas can give of their time and skills or make a monetary donation. Here’s how to help those lineworkers who are lighting the way.

Light Up Navajo: For its fifth year, 250 lineworkers from 46 utilities in 16 states volunteered for Light Up Navajo, organized by the National Tribal Utility Authority and American Public Power Association. Volunteer lineworkers provided first-time electricity to 125 homeowners on the Navajo Nation as of mid-June. To help with Light Up Navajo VI in 2025, you can donate equipment to the NTUA, make a tax-deductible monetary donation or sign up your utility to help to electrify the Navajo Nation. For more information, go to www.ntua.com/light-up-navajo.html or https://www.publicpower.org/donate-light-navajo.
NRECA International: Volunteers from multiple electric co-ops have been helping to build, upgrade and extend power lines in Guatemala since 2011. From the period of 2018 to 2023, 285 volunteer lineworkers have brought electricity access to more than 7,000 people in rural communities. America’s electric co-ops have also donated more than $1 million of funds for electrification. Learn how to sign up to volunteer to construct power lines overseas or to make a contribution by visiting www.nrecainternational.coop/get-involved/.
Fallen Linemen Organization. This non-profit strives to support families of injured and deceased lineworkers in their time of need and build a national memorial to honor all electrical lineworkers. Visit the FLO on Facebook or Instagram to learn more. Also consider donating to related organizations like the Fallen Lineman Foundation, National Sisterhood United for Journeyman Linemen or the National Association of Journeymen Linemen.
Volunteer firefighting. Lineworkers are first responders in their day jobs, but they can also be first responders in their free time by being trained as a volunteer firefighter. American lineworkers can learn more by visiting the National Volunteer Fire Council at makemeafirefighter.org.
Climbin for Kids: Join Lineworkers Jason Novak and Paul Koehler to support this cause, of which 100 percent of the proceeds go toward St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To donate, visit Climbin4kids on Instagram or email [email protected].