Over the past five years, Big Country Electric Cooperative members’ Operation Round Up contributions have helped local families and service organizations by sending more than $290,000 to community organizations that provide charitable and educational services as well as to families with demonstrated financial need.
Operation Round Up is supported by BCEC members whose monthly electric bills are rounded up to the next dollar. The rounded up amounts go into a fund for distribution within the counties we serve: Borden, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Mitchell, Nolan, Scurry, Shackelford, Stonewall and Throckmorton. Every penny stays in our local counties, benefiting folks right here at home.
Any local organization or program that serves a need in our communities can apply for an Operation Round Up grant. Food banks, family shelters, medical and health-related nonprofits, rescue organizations, educational projects, child care programs and other community resources are just a few examples of potential recipients. Senior centers, area volunteer fire departments and a host of other outreach programs have benefited from support, which extends the reach of helping hands in our communities. Families and individuals with demonstrated financial need are also eligible for assistance once per 12-month period.
Applications are reviewed by the trust’s board of directors—your peers and neighbors, who volunteer their time, hearts and consideration to making decisions that will positively affect lives in our communities.
At the June meeting of the trust, the following organizations were awarded Operation Round Up grants:
State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas—Midwest Division $3,000
Texas Ramp Project—Fisher, Jones, Nolan and Scurry counties $3,000
Stonewall County Senior Citizens Center $3,000
The Operation Round Up board meets quarterly to review applications, and the next application deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, for consideration at our September meeting. To download an application, visit bigcountry.coop and click on Service Beyond Electricity. Contact Sarah McLen at (325) 776-3803 or [email protected] with any questions.
Big Country EC is proud to offer this program to share the cooperative spirit with our communities.
