Project Pal Provides

Lending a Hand, the Island Way

Anyone who has experienced a San Juan County island winter knows life can feel much harder when the sun leaves, the rain arrives and the long dark begins. Comfort can be found in turning on the cozy lights, cooking a warm meal and turning up the thermostat a bit to stay warm. Those comforts, which so many of us rely on, are not as readily available to members living on fixed incomes or experiencing financial hardship. Project Pal—Orcas Power & Light Cooperative’s member-funded wintertime assistance program—was created to lend a hand to folks who cannot easily afford the higher bills associated with winter comforts.

Project Pal is funded by OPALCO members, for OPALCO members. This program provides a one-time grant to members who qualify for other assistance programs or are experiencing emergent circumstances such as hardships in health, employment or family status. Members who are already part of OPALCO’s Energy Assist program can still be eligible to receive Project Pal funds.

Project Pal depends entirely on donations from the community. Members can choose how they would like to donate, with one-time and monthly donation options available.
There are many ways to donate. You can:

• Round up your bill to the nearest dollar each month.
• Make a one-time or recurring monthly donation of any amount.
• Donate your community solar production credits.
• Make a charitable donation through a local community foundation.
• Donate your capital credit checks.

In 2025, thanks to the outstanding generosity of community members, $88,088 in Pal assistance funds were distributed to 382 households. This was an impressive growth from the prior year, which saw $78,100 in assistance granted to 312 households. The more donations received, the more households the Pal program can reach.

Assistance That Makes a Difference

The Project Pal funds distributed to members in need each year have a lasting effect. The OPALCO Member Services team, who receive all Pal applications and distribute the grant funds, have seen and heard firsthand some of the ways that Pal affects members.

“I am thankful for every Project Pal Roundup or donation because I know it makes a big difference to our members who receive a Pal award,” Member Services Representative Adrienne Bourne says. “I have heard from members who have unexpected medical bills, have limited income during the ‘slow season,’ are living on a fixed income or have lost their job. Pal recipients are very thankful because it means having a little extra in the bank, being able to get caught up on other bills and having peace of mind. It is encouraging to know that this type of kindness exists at our cooperative.”

It is a priority of the OPALCO board and leadership to maintain strong assistance programs and continue to increase assistance levels as electricity prices increase. However, prices are increasing across all industries and are affecting folks in all areas of their lives. Project Pal is another way OPALCO members who are struggling to make ends meet in the heating season, when bills are at their highest, can get a small reprieve.

Your donations make a difference. Donate today or select the option on your bill to round up to the nearest dollar each month to lend a hand to a fellow islander in need this heating season. Visit www.opalco.com/donate to contribute to Project Pal.

Applying for Project Pal funds

Members who would like to apply for Project Pal funds can visit www.opalco.com/pal to fill out the application form or can stop by one of the OPALCO offices for some help from our team.
Applying is easy! You will need your OPALCO account number and household information.
To be eligible to receive Pal funds, you must:

• Be an active OPALCO member for at least four months prior to application
• Be an OPALCO residential member
• Qualify for other assistance programs or have special emergent circumstances affecting your household, such as hardships in health, employment or family status.

Applications for Project Pal assistance funds are open now for the 2026-2027 award season. Funds are distributed throughout the heating season, November through April.