Operation Round Up® gives more than $38,000 to community programs

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Lake Country Power’s Operation Round Up® Trust Board recently approved $38,008 in contributions to local community programs during its most recent quarterly meeting.

The cooperative’s Trust Board reviewed and considered 41 grant applications and distributed funds to 33 projects and programs this past quarter.

“The small change co-op members give each month is making a difference,” said Jennie Hanson, Trust Board President. “Operation Round Up has been such a worthwhile program that is having a positive impact in so many communities across our region. It really is an honor to help oversee the fund distributions and to know you have an opportunity to brighten someone’s day with assistance.”

Operation Round Up® is a charitable program unique to electric co-ops which is designed to provide financial assistance to worthwhile activities and community projects by “rounding up” member’s electric bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation of each participating Lake Country Power member is $6 annually.

Since the program’s inception in October 2004, $728,221 has been distributed to 557 community-based projects and programs.

All funds generated through Operation Round Up are set aside in a trust fund. A Trust Board of nine co-op members who are appointed by the co-op’s board of directors administers the trust fund. Of the funds collected through the program, 100 percent is distributed to charitable organizations through an application and selection process. The trust board uses special guidelines and policies when choosing recipients.

Most recent local recipients include:

Community Service:

• Volunteer Services of Carlton County, Inc.

• Second Harvest North Central Food Bank

• Carlton VFW

• Mahtowa Volunteer Fire Department

• Cromwell Bethany Quilters

• Area Clothing Depot

• Arrowhead Regional Corrections

Education and Youth:

• Barnum Elementary Youth Basketball

• Moose Lake Community Playground Project

• Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry

Applications are available online at www.lakecountrypower.coop. The next application deadline is Feb. 15.

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