Adrian and Naima Williams received an unexpected housewarming gift this spring. They moved from Gwinnett County into the St. Joseph subdivision in Fairburn to be closer to their extended family. In doing so, Adrian became the 100,000 member of a much larger family—GreyStone Power.
GreyStone reached a milestone in February when Adrian moved onto the Cooperative’s more than 6,000 miles of line. To celebrate this mark of growth for the community, GreyStone Power friends and partners gave his family housewarming gifts valued at more than $3,000.“I thought it was a joke—I kept laughing and thought someone was playing a trick on me, but it’s real. I’m very excited,” says Adrian.
The Williamses, both educators, had just returned home from work when the GreyStone Power Patrol drove up to the door .Housewarming gifts included a 32-inch high definition flat screen television and installation from the home technology division of EMC Security, and gifts from Gas South, GEMC Federal Credit Union, Arbor Place Mall, SurgeMaster Plus, LaQuinta Inn, Texas Roadhouse, FASTFRAME, Messages, Jump 4 Joey, West Atlanta Douglas Choral Society, Daniel Enterprises, Car Solutions and R&R Home Inspections, LLC.
GreyStone is helping Adrian keep his electric bill low by replacing all of his regular incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs (CFLs), giving him low-flow showerheads to help him conserve water and providing a free energy audit.
“We are so happy to welcome Adrian and Naima Williams and their family as our 100,000th members of GreyStone Power. We welcome you to the GreyStone family,” says GreyStone President/CEO Gary Miller. “You are now a member of the 19th largest cooperative in the nation in number of members. We look forward to working with you and for you in the future.”
As a member of Walton EMC for the last three years, Adrian says he’s well aware of the benefits of being part of a cooperative.“To me being a member means you’re not a number—you’re a partner, a stakeholder in the well-being of the community,” says Adrian. “Cooperatives are more community oriented, and as a member you’re part of something that helps your community.”
Adrian, a video production teacher, will transfer to Westlake High School this fall. Naima is a counselor for Banneker High School in College Park. Adrian and Naima have two children. Their daughter Nyambi, 11, competes in local swimming matches while their son Ajani, 4, just signed up for t-ball. Both children plan on attending Landmark Christian School this fall.
“We’re loving it here—we’re happy to be home,” he says. “I’m happy to have made my way back to be part of a thriving, growing community.”
