Central Electric Cooperative recently awarded $1,000 to the Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery Association in Mitchell through Operation Round-Up.

Dean Strand is the vice chair of the Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery Association. He explained how personal donations and the Operation Round-Up grant helped pay for a new shelter and parking lot improvements. In the grant application, he explained that the project benefits the community by providing a shelter for families or groups to gather after remembrance services, especially when no funeral homes or churches are involved.

"This is such a great project, and we are glad to be part of it," said David Jorgenson, who serves on the Operation Round-Up board of trustees that awards grants. Jorgenson attended a recent cookout celebration at the new shelter located near Kippes Veterans Memorial Park to show his support. He also gave a personal donation to the cemetery.

Anybody interested in supporting the Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery Association should contact Dean Strand at 605-770-4676.

Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which Central Electric members round up their monthly statement to the next whole dollar, and the extra cents accumulate to support area projects. Many cooperative employees also contribute to the fund through payroll. Since 2015, members and employees have invested approximately $185,000 to support projects in the cooperative's eight-county footprint, which includes Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner and Sanborn Counties.

The next Operation Round-Up grant application deadline is Nov. 1. For more information about the program, contact Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop/operation-round-up.