The White Lake City Library was awarded a $500 grant from Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program. The funds were used toward the purchase of books and activity kits for participating children.

“Encouraging interest in reading at an early age is important for academic development,” said Tara Miller, manager of communications and Operation Round-Up coordinator at Central Electric. “We are pleased to support White Lake’s summer reading program.” 

Summer reading program coordinator Kim Ehlers explained how covid-19 impacted the program. She said each child now receives a box filled with their own books and project materials.

Librarian Linda Dodds helps oversee program activities. She said the grant from Central Electric is greatly appreciated and the funds enable them to host a successful event.

Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which Central Electric members’ bills are rounded to the next whole dollar. The extra cents collected flow into a charitable fund to make a direct impact in the communities of Central Electric members.

Each county in Central Electric’s service territory has a representative at the table that reviews grant applications two times per year. The Operation Round-Up board of trustees includes Julie Dykstra of Stickney, Jill Ekstrum of Kimball, Ellen Speck of Gann Valley, David Jorgenson of Mitchell, LeAnn Moe of Alexandria, Scott Kolousek of Wessington Springs, Connie Hattervig of Carthage, Carla Amick of Letcher and Jim Headley of White Lake.

The next grant application deadline is Nov. 1. For more information about the Operation Round-Up program, please contact Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892.