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A light switch feels ordinary until you stand in a place that has never had one. We sit down with journeyman lineman Joe Zernhild from Jones-Onslow EMC, who volunteered for a mission trip to Guatemala alongside 14 linemen from electric cooperatives across North Carolina. It is Joe’s first time out of the country, and he walks us through what it takes to say yes, get outside your comfort zone, and use your trade to deliver something life-changing: electricity access.

Joe shares the reality of getting to a remote village, including the long travel, the logistics on the ground, and the biggest surprise for many listeners: no bucket trucks. The crew relies on climbing tools, teamwork, and the fundamentals of linework to string wire, make connections, and wire roughly 50-plus homes along with a school, churches, and a small health facility. Along the way, Joe describes the culture shock of daily life without modern resources, including families cooking on indoor fires, and why basic electrification can mean safer homes and better long-term health.

The most unforgettable moment comes when the lights finally turn on for the first time. Joe explains why that scene changes how you think about storm restoration back home and why he would go again without hesitation. We also share helpful co-op updates and practical resources, including easy bill payment options, budget billing, Flex Pay, and simple summer energy efficiency steps like sealing air leaks, changing air filters, switching to LED bulbs, and adjusting your thermostat.

Subscribe for more real stories from the people who keep the power on, share this with someone who believes in service, and leave a review with the one thing you’re most grateful to have electricity for.

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On this episode of Flippin' the Switch, we sit down with Trisha Dyal and Carol Jameson to trace how a single handmade “daddy doll” became a nationwide resource for military families, powered by a tiny team of military spouses and volunteers who understand the stakes. April brings special urgency as the Month of the Military Child, and we dig into how local sponsors and businesses help put dolls into families’ hands, plus what corporate sponsorship can look like. We also explore expanding programs for first responders, children’s hospitals, double-sided dolls, and “Heavenly Heroes” memorial dolls meant to be gifted during grief. Tune in and learn how you can give back during the Month of the Military Child and beyond.

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Career Day gets a lot more interesting when the kids take the mic. We’re at Clearview Elementary with students who tell us what they learned about Jones Onslow EMC, what electricity powers in their homes, and what they’d change if they could give “electric powers” to anything from a bed to a flying carpet.

Subscribe to Flippin’ the Switch, share this with a parent or teacher, and leave us a review. Then follow us on social media to stay in the loop with Jones Onslow EMC.