Operation Round Up is a voluntary charitable program that allows us to round up members’ electric bill to the next whole dollar. The difference is placed in the United REMC Operation Round Up Trust to be distributed to worthwhile causes.
| Here’s how it works. Let’s say a consumer’s electric bill is $75.55. The bill is rounded up to an even $76, and the 45 cents is placed into the fund. The average estimated annual giving is only about $6 per member. And the very most anyone can give each month is 99 cents – or a total of $11.88 for an entire year. |
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In all, the co-op expects to raise between $30,000 and $35,000 annually for charitable giving throughout our service territory. As of this summer, over 55 percent of our members are enrolled. To date over $65,000 has been awarded in grants to organizations and individuals throughout United’s service territory. |
The United REMC Board earlier approved the volunteer board to oversee the Operation Round Up Trust. Members include: Fred Schweikhardt, vice president of the United REMC board of directors; Mike Kelsey, United REMC Assistant Operations Manager; Thais Wilhelm, former Huntington County sheriff; Phylian Keefer, from MarkleBank and a township trustee in Wells County; Tony Garton, retired Wells County teacher and Bluffton businessman; Mike Perkins, Huntington Parkview Hospital Foundation, and active in a number of local organizations; Elsie Wygant, retired manager of National City Bank, Roanoke office, and former president of the Roanoke Chamber.
These qualified people were chosen by a nomination committee from a long list of potential members.
Examples of organizations that might benefit are food banks, senior groups, fire departments, EMS, school organizations, capital projects, clubs, etc.
Many other electric co-ops have adopted the Operation Round Up program. And feedback from them indicate it is very successful in each and every case.
The program is strictly voluntary. If you are a United REMC member, and you choose not to participate, simply notify United REMC. You can call us, or send an e-mail to info@unitedremc.com.
But you need to contact us only if you DO NOT want to participate.
Operation Round Up actually began with the Palmetto Electric Cooperative in Hilton Head, SC, many years ago. Co-op leaders there saw a need in their own backyard to help communities and started the fund. It has helped many people with hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years all with accumulated "change" on the electric bill that was rounded up.
Many Indiana REMCs have had the program in place for years. Two neighboring REMCs – Noble REMC and Northeastern REMC – have launched the program in recent years, and communities and groups in those areas are now reaping the benefits.
You will be able to follow the progress of the program through articles in the Electric Consumer, such as how much is collected, and where the funds are distributed.
By just adding up a few cents each month, collectively our consumers can contribute to many worthwhile causes.
