As November moves along and Thanksgiving draws closer, we’re thinking about the things that matter most this season: caring for our communities, preparing our homes, and making room for a little family fun along the way.

In this week’s newsletter, we’re highlighting a worthy dog charity, sharing a simple Thanksgiving electrical pre-check, and passing along a festive activity for the kids.

The Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter is gearing up for what could be its biggest fundraiser yet, and they're inviting the community to get in on the fun!

On Tuesday, November 10, from 6–9 p.m., the shelter is teaming up with Jordan's Way for an energetic, interactive fundraising event filled with friendly competition, hilarious challenges, and plenty of opportunities to make a difference for animals in need.

Think old-fashioned telethon meets game show! Volunteers will compete in fundraising challenges, rally friends and family for donations, and possibly face a pie in the face or a bucket of slime—all in good fun and for a wonderful cause.

Want to help? You don't have to attend to make a difference! Donate online before or during the event, share the fundraiser with friends, or volunteer to join the excitement.

Volunteers are still needed! Participants should arrive by 4:30 p.m. with a fully charged phone and charger. To volunteer or learn more, contact Deb at 608-548-1411.

Support the fundraiser:

https://givebutter.com/jordans-way-fundraiser-for-carl-w-nelson-animal-shelter-si8rdb

Every donation and every share helps the Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter continue its work caring for animals in need. Let's show them what a caring community can accomplish together!

Learn more about the shelter at www.carlnelson.org.

5 Quick Checks Before the Holiday Rush

Before the turkey goes in the oven and every countertop appliance gets called into action, it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure your kitchen is ready for the extra load.

Here are five smart checks before Thanksgiving day arrives:

1. Test your smoke alarms.

Make sure they’re working properly before the busiest cooking day of the year.

2. Check cords and outlets.

Look for frayed cords, loose plugs, scorch marks, or signs of overheating.

3. Avoid overloading outlets.

Roasters, slow cookers, coffee makers, and warmers can add up fast. Spread out high-demand appliances when possible.

4. Test GFCI outlets in the kitchen.

Outlets near water should be functioning properly and reset correctly.

5. Keep cords clear and the cooking area tidy.

Avoid letting cords hang near sinks, burners, or where children can grab them.

A few minutes of preparation can go a long way toward a safer, smoother holiday. If you’ve noticed tripped breakers, warm outlets, or other electrical concerns, now is a good time to address them before Thanksgiving week.

Kid-Friendly Corner: Let’s Talk Turkey... and Circuits!

Looking for a fun and educational Thanksgiving activity?

The NEED Project offers free Thanksgiving-themed circuit cards that let kids color festive designs and then build a simple circuit to light them up. It’s a hands-on way to mix creativity, science, and holiday fun.

We’re sharing it early so families, teachers, and grandparents have time to download the cards and gather supplies before Thanksgiving week.

Explore the free Thanksgiving circuit activity:

https://www.need.org/resources/electricity-magnetism-materials/

Adult supervision is recommended, especially when using small batteries and electrical components.

From Our Family to Yours

As we head toward Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the customers, neighbors, and local organizations that make our communities strong.

Thank you for trusting Gray Electric. We’re proud to serve Mauston, Tomah, and the surrounding Wisconsin communities.

Family has always been at the heart of Gray Electric, and moments like these remind us why. Jeff Gray, Mitchell Gray, and Mitchell's newest addition, Rome, enjoyed a little family time at the recent Tomah Halloween Festival. Three generations together, carrying forward a family legacy that began in 1958. It's a wonderful reminder that while generations change, the values that built Gray Electric remain strong.

There's more happening at Riverside Park in Mauston than meets the eye! Gray Electric's Kaleb, Sam, and Dylan have been hard at work installing the electrical infrastructure that will help power the park's improvements. It's another example of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making our community spaces safer, more functional, and ready for everyone to enjoy.

We're proud to have our team contributing to a project that local families will enjoy for years to come.