MiEnergy Cooperative members give $7,100 in local donations

MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met recently and elected to donate $7,100 to the following local organizations:

• $1,000, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, Minn., to help purchase energy-efficient lighting for the auditorium.
• $1,000, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia, Minn., to help support the Summer Eats! program for students.
• $1,000, Lanesboro Arts, Lanesboro, Minn., to support youth programs for creating public sculptures made from recycled materials and painting murals.
• $1,000, Riceville Ambulance, Riceville, Iowa, to help purchase a ranger with a medical insert for use in areas not accessible by an ambulance.
• $1,000, Sunflower Child Care Center, Inc., Decorah, Iowa, to help purchase shade sails for the play area.
• $1,000, Trinity Catholic School, Protivin, Iowa, to help purchase a whiteboard and mobile stand.
• $600, Winona YMCA, Winona, Minn., to help support the development of a Camp Wenonah camp cooking program.
• $500, St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles, Minn., to help purchase interactive speaker devices for enhancing language development for loaning out.

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, 2,600 MiEnergy members participate and 100% of the funds generated are granted to local organizations.

The program is based on the idea that small change adds up. Currently, the program gives approximately $16,000 each year to local organizations.

The Operation Round Up Trust Board, made up of MiEnergy members, chooses where the funds get donated, and the amount of the donation based on an application process. The trust board members include Ann Brogan, of St. Charles; Dan Dietzenbach, of Fort Atkinson; Beth George, of Houston; Sandy Gronwoldt, of Riceville; Dawn Hauge, of Winona; Dennis Ostwinkle, of Decorah; Teresa Ross, of Hokah; Tom Tibor, of Minnesota City; and Jay Wheelock, of Fountain.

Donations to Operation Round Up are tax deductible. Organizations receive grants through an application process. The next application deadline is August 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.