MiEnergy Cooperative members give $7,497 in local donations

MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met recently and elected to donate $7,497 to the following local organizations:

$1,000, Fillmore County DAC, Preston, Minn., to purchase a TV with a stand and dishes for group activities.
$1,000, Project Flo Association, New Hampton, Iowa, to assist with providing free home repairs for low-income seniors, families, veterans and disabled individuals.
$917, Houston County Sheriff’s Posse, Caledonia, Minn., to purchase batteries and a new remote for a drone used for emergency situations.
$800, Ostrander Rural Fire Association, Ostrander, Minn., to help purchase updated air packs.
$750, St. Teresa of Calcutta Childcare Center, Ossian, Iowa, to purchase room safety shades and a safety gate.
$700, Mabel/Newburg United Methodist Church, Mabel, Minn., for Mabel-Canton K-2 teachers to purchase books for their students.
$700, Riceville Food Pantry, Riceville, Iowa, to purchase equipment to assist with scanning and data management.
$630, Driftless Fiber Arts Collective, Lanesboro, Minn., to support the Helping Handicraft Workshop Series.
$500, Lanesboro Arts, Lanesboro, Minn., to purchase audio and lighting accessory upgrades.
$500, St. Charles Public Schools, St. Charles, Minn., to purchase an ice machine for the elementary school.

Operation Round Up is funded by donations made by members of MiEnergy Cooperative who voluntarily have their electric bill rounded up to the next dollar. The average donation is $6 per year, 2,500 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 Neil Broadwater, of Winona; Dan Dietzenbach, of Fort Atkinson; Beth George, of Houston; Sandy Gronwoldt, of Riceville; Roy Kryzer, of Lewiston; 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 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.