ROUNDUP ACHIEVES MILESTONE OVER $3 MILLION DONATED TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES BY GARY BAKER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
R
ecently, The Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up Foundation surpassed $3,000,000 in grants made to local beneficiaries. If you are one of the members participating in this program, you have helped to make this possible. Numerous non-profit Gary Baker groups, charities and community organizations have received grants from the Operation Round Up Foundation. In 2005, The Energy Cooperative Board of Directors established the Operation Round up Foundation, Inc. The foundation was suggested by The President & CEO at the time, Dave Potter. The Round Up Foundation is managed by a seven-member board of directors who represent a vast part of the service territory. This community service program is funded by “rounding up” a member’s utility bill to the nearest dollar. The average annual donation is about $6.00 per member per year and is tax deductible. The Operation Round Up Foundation enhances the quality of life and provides valuable support to local communities. This includes scholarships given to selected applicants who are 4 8
THE ENERGY COOPERATIVE TIMES & JUNE2018 2017 THE ENERGY COOPERATIVE TIMES • JULY• MAY & AUGUST
committed to pursuing a post high school education at a college, university or technical center. Members are automatically enrolled in this program when opening an account with The Energy Cooperative however; they can opt out by calling the Member Service Department at (800) 255-6815. John C.” Jay” Barker was perhaps Operation Round Up’s biggest fan. Jay helped form the foundation, served as the first chairman, and was the foundation’s treasurer until he passed in March of 2014. Jay’s passion and commitment to Operation Round Up was contagious and his influence is felt at every board meeting. This is in part because his wife, Beth A. (Ourant) Barker, is a member of the Operation Round Up board of directors and currently serves as the treasurer. Shortly after Jay’s passing, The Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up Foundation Board announced the creation of the JOHN C. ”JAY” BARKER SCHOLARSHIP. Students or their parents must be members (customers) of The Energy Cooperative and be a senior in high school or have completed their freshman year in college to be eligible for the scholarship. Qualified candidates must be a resident of Licking County, currently enrolled in college or technical school, and working towards a degree in (800) 255-6815
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