Laurens Electric Employee Chooses AMIkids WINGS for Pay It Forward Gift

Operations Specialist John Earl Thomas has chosen to make a difference in the lives of local youth by donating $500 to AMIkids WINGS Piedmont, a residential program in Clinton that serves young women in the juvenile justice system. The donation is part of Laurens Electric Cooperative’s Pay It Forward initiative.

AMIkids began in 1969 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, under the leadership of Juvenile Court Judge Frank Orlando. What started as an alternative to detention for at-risk youth has grown into a national nonprofit helping more than 160,000 young people across the country.

With programs in nine states and a success rate of over 80%, AMIkids offers support through community-based and residential programs, as well as service coordination and program enhancements. Its mission is clear: to help youth discover their potential.

Locally, AMIkids WINGS Piedmont provides a trauma-informed, residential setting for young women ages 13–18. The program helps residents build the skills they need to transition successfully into their homes or communities.

“They do a great job with these kids, and they’re working to expand, so every little bit helps,” said Thomas.

The $500 gift was made possible through Laurens Electric Cooperative’s Pay It Forward program, which began in 2015. Each month, one employee is randomly selected to receive $500 to donate in any way they choose. The program is budget-neutral, funded entirely by proceeds from employee-driven charity events. Since its launch, the initiative has empowered employees to support schools, nonprofits, and individuals across the Upstate, creating ripple effects of kindness throughout the region.

To learn more about AMIkids and its programs, visit www.amikids.org.