REA program rounds up $20,650 for local groups

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Runestone Electric Association’s Operation Round Up program has distributed more than $315,000 in grants to community-minded groups and organizations throughout the cooperative’s service territory since its inception six years ago.

In May, 38 area organizations shared $20,650 in grants from Operation Round Up, a charitable-giving program sponsored by Runestone Electric Association (REA).

Even though the Operation Round Up Trust Board operates separately from the Runestone Electric Association board of directors, members of the REA board were present at the check distribution program to congratulate grant recipients.

More than 65 percent of REA members allow their bills to be rounded up an average of 53 cents per month, amounting to $6.36 per participating member for the year.

Through this charitable giving program, the following organizations received grants recently:

• Fire departments and first responders: Hoffman Volunteer Ambulance, $1,000; Villard First Responders, $1,000 and Leaf Valley Fire Department, $500.

• Youth: Morris Area Youth Baseball Team, $250; Alexandria Area Baseball Association, $250; Discovery Days Preschool, $250; Starbuck VFW Baseball, $250; Ann & Andy Preschool, $250; Brandon Summer Rec, $250 and West Central Area Post Prom, $200.

• Community: Someplace Safe – Grant County, $1,000; Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, $1,000; The Salvation Army, $1,000; Someplace Safe – Alexandria, $1,000; Grant County Public Health, $500; Grant County Humane Society, $500; The Village Family Service Center, $500; The Starbuck Depot Society, $500; Alex Area Special Olympics, $400; Elbow Lake Parks Committee, $250; Runestone Go-Kart Association, $250; Noah’s Park, $250; K.I.D. F.U.N, $250 and West Central Area Parent and Community Team, $250.

• Senior programs: Elder Network, $1,000.

• Scholarships: The following schools received a $600 scholarship: Alexandria Dollars for Scholars; Minnewaska Area High School; West Central High School; Ashby High School; Morris Area High School; Evansville High School; Parkers Prairie High School; Osakis High School; Brandon High School; Eagle Valley Public School; Lakes Area Charter School; Long Prairie Grey Eagle High School; New Testament Christian School.

Participation in Operation Round Up is voluntary. Members that wish to participate, do nothing. Contributions are included on future bills. Members who choose not to take part may withdraw if they have not already done so by notifying the cooperative of their decision at any point.

Area organizations are encouraged to apply for Operation Round Up grants. The deadline for the next round of funding is August 15. Application forms are available by calling Runestone Electric at (320) 762-1121 or 1-800-473-1722. Applications can be downloaded from the REA Web site at www.RunestoneElectric.com.

Runestone Electric Association serves more than 13,350 electric service accounts in the rural areas of Douglas, Pope, Grant, Stevens, Otter Tail, Stearns and Todd counties.

Tags: rea, operation, round, up, program