Central Electric Cooperative is awarding $13,800 in Operation Round-Up grants to support area projects. Through Operation Round-Up, participating cooperative members round up their monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar. Contributions are pooled together to support local causes through the grant program. Several cooperative employees also contribute to the fund.
Upon reviewing 32 applications, the Operation Round-Up board of trustees approved the following grant awards:
• Abernathy Post 16 (Gann Valley) - $1,000 for American Legion grave markers
• Bridgewater-Emery School Career & Technical Education Program - $1,500 for welding equipment
• Canova Volunteer Fire Department - $2,000 for hoses and equipment
• Friends of Miner County 4-H - $500 for campground improvements
• Friends of Sanborn County 4-H - $1,000 for tables and chairs
• Hanson County 4-H Leaders - $1,300 for arena bleachers
• Hearts and Hammers of S.D. (Howard) - $1,000 for housing improvements
• Helping Ends Meet Food Program (Chamberlain) - $1,500 for youth nutrition
• Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Association (Mount Vernon) - $500 for a fence
• J&B 4-H Shooting Sports (Wessington Springs) - $1,000 for equipment and supplies
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Mitchell) - $2,500 for youth bed building program
Since 2015, Operation Round-Up has generated nearly $200,000 to support local projects. A volunteer board of trustees made up of cooperative members awards the grants. Members of the board of trustees are Julie Dykstra of Stickney, Clarissa Glaus of Chamberlain, David Jorgenson of Mitchell, Amber Kolousek of Wessington Springs, LeAnn Moe of Alexandria, Tami Moore of Howard, Yvette Isburg of Fort Thompson, Dawna VanOverschelde of Letcher and cooperative director Merl Bechen of Mitchell.
Grant applications are accepted every six months. The next deadline is May 1, 2024.