MiEnergy Cooperative members give $6,000 in local donations

Cresco, IA | Rushford, MN— MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met recently and elected to donate $6,000 to the following local organizations:

• $1,000, City of Chester, Iowa, to assist with building a basketball court and ice rink.
• $1,000, Fort Atkinson Fire Association, Fort Atkinson, Iowa, to help purchase an upgraded tanker for hauling water to rural fires.
• $1,000, Foundation for Rushford-Peterson Schools, Rushford, Minn., to help with the cost of building custom bike racks for the Bluff Land Triathlon.
• $1,000, Protivin Firefighters Inc., Protivin, Iowa, to help purchase lockers for storage of firefighter turnout gear.
• $1,000, Ridgeway Fire and Rescue, Houston, Minn., to help purchase emergency medical equipment.
• $1,000, Rushford Area Historical Society, Rushford, Minn., to assist with reroofing the Southern Minnesota Depot. 

Operation Round Up is funded by donations made by members of MiEnergy Cooperative who voluntarily have their electric bill round up to the next dollar. The average donation is $6 per year and approximately 2,015 MiEnergy members participate.

The program is based on the idea that small change adds up. Currently, the program gives away approximately $12,000 each year to local organizations. 

The Operation Round Up Trust Board chooses where the funds get donated, and the amount of the donation based on an application process. The trust board members include Neil Broadwater, of Winona; Beth George, of Houston; Roy Kryzer, of Lewiston; Janelle Mahr, of Lime Springs; Teresa Ross, of Hokah; Shannon Schmelzer, of Cresco; Perry-O Sliwa of Decorah; Tom Tibor, of Minnesota City; and Mike Tuohy, of Chatfield. 

Donations to Operation Round Up are tax deductible. Organizations receive grants through an application process. The next application deadline is February 15. To learn more about Operation Round Up or to round up your electric bill, visit www.MiEnergy.coop or call 1-800-432-2285.