Operation Roundup Achieves Milestone

from The Energy Cooperative Times: July & August 2018

ROUNDUP ACHIEVES MILESTONE OVER $3 MILLION DONATED TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES

BY GARY BAKER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Recently, 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 groups, charities and community organizations have received grants from the Operation Round Up Foundation. Gary Baker

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 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 business.

Thanks for supporting your community through Operation Round Up! a business or finance field. In memory of Mr. Barker’s commitment to our community, preference is given to students who are involved in community service. Bruce Sumner said “Happy Monday” to start each and every week. This phrase was heard frequently by employees in our Utica, Newark and Hebron offices. Bruce, the former Vice-President & COO of electric operations, was incredibly dedicated to Operation Round Up, and the annual Round Up golf outing. The golf outing has always been a major fundraiser for the Operation Round Up Foundation. After Bruce passed in March of 2013, the Operation Round Up Golf outing was renamed the Bruce Sumner Memorial benefiting the Operation Round Up Foundation. Everyone involved with this event will forever remember Bruce’s up-beat manner and his amazing way to bring a smile to your face. This September marks the 6th Annual Bruce Sumner Memorial, a golf outing that has raised over $75,000 for Operation Round Up Scholarships. Programs of all types are eligible for Round Up grants, as long as the funds are not used for utility bills and the organization is non-political and non-controversial in nature. Usually the funds are disbursed to groups who demonstrate a need that benefits not only them, but the overall community as well. A very special thank you goes out to the members, and the foundation board who have helped grant more than $3,000,000 through Operation Round Up. Do you know an organization who could benefit from an Operation Round Up Grant? Applications can be found on our website http://theenergycoop.com/ round-up-application.

ROUNDUP ACHIEVES MILESTONE OVER $3 MILLION DONATED TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES

This article is from:

The Energy Cooperative Times: July & August 2018