On Thursday, July 18, Dakota Electric hosted its annual Member Appreciation Event at the Minnesota Zoo, showing our gratitude to our dedicated members.

Around 8,000 members enjoyed complimentary admission to the zoo, making for an evening filled with excitement and discovery. Attendees explored popular exhibits like the Wings Financial World of Birds Show, ventured into the thrilling Dino Hideout and took peaceful walks along the new Treetop Trail. The event offered a wide range of activities to delight everyone.

In the spirit of community support, we encouraged members to bring non-perishable food items or make cash donations for local food shelves. The response was tremendous, with 2,210 pounds of food and over $1,343 in cash donated. These generous contributions will significantly aid individuals and families in our area.

Ryan Hentges, President and CEO of Dakota Electric, expressed deep gratitude for the donations, stating, “Every dollar and donation will directly benefit The Open Door and 360 Communities, providing crucial support to individuals and families in Dakota County. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed.”

Since this event began in 1998, our members have consistently shown their commitment to giving back. Over the years, they’ve donated more than 42,000 pounds of food and over $16,000 to local food shelves, making a lasting impact on our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all members who joined us for the Member Appreciation Event. Your presence and generosity made the event an outstanding success.