Central Electric Cooperative's Operation Round-Up® grant program will surpass $225,000 in local impact after the board of trustees recently pledged $13,800 to support area projects.
Through Operation Round-Up, participating cooperative members round up their monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar, and the contributions are pooled together to support local causes. Several Central Electric employees also contribute to the fund.
Upon reviewing applications from several worthy organizations, the Operation Round-Up board of trustees approved the following grant awards:
- Chamberlain Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) - $1,000 for Educational Class Trip
- Crow Creek Homeless Shelter - $2,000 for Shelter Supplies
- Dakota Indian Foundation - $2,000 for Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride
- Gann Valley Abernathy Post 16 - $1,000 for Legion Grave Markers
- Missouri Valley Ambulance District - $1,500 for Regional Training
- Plankinton Ambulance Association - $1,000 for Emergency Medical Supplies
- Quilting for Others of Woonsocket - $500 for Quilting Supplies
- St. Peter Cemetery of Farmer - $2,300 for Cemetery Improvements
- The Salvation Army of Mitchell - $1,500 for Utility Assistance
- Trinity Cemetery of Letcher - $1,000 for Cemetery Improvements
“Big thanks to participating cooperative members who round up their bill every month,” said Tara Miller, Manager of Communications at Central Electric. “Since 2016, Operation Round-Up has supported more than 150 projects in our local communities.”
Members of the volunteer board of trustees are cooperative director Merl Bechen of Mitchell, Julie Dykstra of Stickney, Clarissa Glaus of Chamberlain, Yvette Isburg of Fort Thompson, Steve Weisz of Mitchell, LeAnn Moe of Alexandria, Amber Kolousek of Wessington Springs, Tami Moore of Howard and Dawna VanOverschelde of Letcher.
Grant applications are accepted every six months. The next deadline to apply is May 1, 2025. For more information, call Central Electric at 800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop and click on Member Programs.