Operation Round Up(r) gives nearly $40,000 to community programs including those in Cloquet and Moose Lake

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Grand Rapids, MN - Lake Country Power's Operation Round Up(r) Trust Board approved $38,008 in contributions to local community programs during its March quarterly meeting. The Board reviewed and considered 41 grant applications and distributed funds to 28 projects and programs this past quarter.

More than 70 percent of Lake Country Power's members participate in Operation Round Up. Each month these participants round up electric bills, and the small change from each member makes a big difference collectively to help others in the region.

The Salvation Army office in Cloquet received a $3,000 grant for emergency energy assistance. The Churchill Elementary Partners in Education group received grant money in the Community Service/Education and Youth category and the Moose Lake Area Historical Society received funds for community service projects.

Since the program's inception in October 2004, $768,206 has been distributed to 585 community-based projects and programs.

All funds generated through Operation Round Up are set aside in a trust fund. A Trust Board comprised of nine volunteer co-op members consider grant requests from the trust each quarter. 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.

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

Lake Country Power, www.lakecountrypower.coop, is a Touchstone Energy(r) cooperative serving parts of eight counties in northeastern Minnesota. The rural electric cooperative provides services to more than 42,000 members and has offices located in Grand Rapids, Kettle River and Mountain Iron.

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