Founded in 1989 by a co-op in South Carolina and adopted by REC in 1996, Operation Round-Up is a way in which we help those in our community who have fallen on hard times. The program is funded by REC members who voluntarily ‘round up’ their monthly electric bills. (For example, a bill of $97.43 is automatically rounded up to $98.00, with the additional 57 cents going to the Operation Round Up account.) The money is pooled, and then allocated to a variety of worthy causes throughout the co-op’s six-county service area. Each participating member donates approximately $6 annually to the fund. (Co-op members who do wish to participate in Operation Round Up can complete and return the Operation Round-Up form.) Collectively, their generosity equates to about $300 a month to aid those in need. More than $70,000 has been awarded locally since starting.
All of the money contributed to Operation Round-Up is put into the REC Foundation fund, separate from REC's accounts. The Foundation is administered by a five-member board of directors, made up of volunteers nominated by the REC Board of Trustees.
The REC Foundation board meets as requests are received to review and act on grant requests. Those seeking a grant must fill out an application access the forms - individual/family or organization.
Individuals need not be co-op members to receive a grant from the REC Foundation, but do have to reside in the co-op's service area to apply. Likewise, organizations must provide services to individuals within the co-op's boundaries. Grants are not awarded for payment of utility bills or for political purposes.
If you would like to sign-up to contribute to Operation Round-Up (click on Operation Round-Up Contribution Form) please complete the form and mail to:
Rural Electric Cooperative, Attn. Capital Credits, PO Box 609, Lindsay, OK 73052
Operation Round-Up Forms (Adobe Reader(link is external)(link is external) required)
