Operation Round Up grants supporting local non-profits

(L-R) Paula Shemanski and Judy Thomas accept a grant on behalf of Coalition for Families in Lee County.
(L-R) Paula Shemanski and Judy Thomas accept a grant on behalf of Coalition for Families in Lee County.

Thanks to Central Electric’s Operation Round Up program, powered by donations from Central Electric members, several nonprofits are benefiting from grant funding. Over $22,000 is being put back into the surrounding communities to provide assistance for worthy projects that provide vital service needs. Grants were awarded to the following groups:

  1. B.T. Bullock Elementary School (Lee) – Funded $3,000 to provide supplies and storage for the school’s art program.
  2. Chatham Housing Initiatives, Inc. – Funded $3,000 to provide 12 twin beds, mattresses and waterproof mattress covers for homes housing individuals fleeing from domestic violence.
  3. Christian United Outreach Center (Lee) – Funded $3,000 to purchase food to be distributed to Lee County residents and Lee County schools.
  4. Coalition for Families in Lee County – Funded $3,000 to help cover costs associated with the Lee County Child Care Conference.
  5. Lee County High School FFA Alumni – Funded $1,575 to help cover costs associated with sending members to the State Leadership Conference at White Lake, N.C.
  6. Lee County Schools AIG Advisory Council – Funded $3,000 to help support and fund the local Spelling Bee competition.
  7. Sanford Job Express (Lee) – Funded $3,000 to assist with automobile insurance expenses for vehicles used to provide work transportation for individuals who have no means of travel.
  8. Union Pines High School NJROTC (Moore) – Funded $3,000 to help cover costs for cadets attending basic training at the Marine Corps. facility in Parris Island, S.C.

Operation Round Up is a volunteer program in which Central Electric members can choose to “round up” their electric bill to the next whole dollar each month. Voluntary contributions are made to the Central Electric Member Care Trust and grants are awarded for worthy projects by the Member Care Trust Board of Directors. Applications for 2017 fourth-quarter grant opportunities must be submitted by Nov. 1. Grant recipients will be announced following the board meeting on Nov. 16. For more information on the program, visit the Operation Round Up page.