Operation Round Up gives more than $59,000 to community programs

COHASSET — Through the contributions of Lake Country Power’s participating members, the Operation Round Up Electric Trust Board recently approved $59,047 in assistance to local community programs during its quarterly meeting.

The cooperative’s Trust Board reviewed and considered 46 grant applications and distributed funds to 41 projects and programs this past quarter.

All funds generated through Operation Round Up are set aside in a trust fund. A voluntary Trust Board of nine co-op members administers the trust. Of the funds collected through the program, 100 percent is distributed to charitable organizations through an application and selection process. The Trust Board uses special guidelines and policies when choosing recipients. Since the program’s inception, more than $3.3 million in contributions have been given.

Let’s Go Fishing Itasca received $1,000 toward its youth and handicapped program to give pontoon rides on the local lakes. Beverly Taylor is chair and said they appreciate the support from Operation Round Up® for this community service program, which has been serving Itasca County since 2007. They serve veterans, handicapped families, nursing homes and long-term care, Life Options groups, and more. Taylor said 100 percent of their services are volunteer and they need more volunteers. If interested, call (218) 256-7958.

Area recipients

Patchwork Pals, Remer

Grace House of Itasca County, Grand Rapids

Foster Love Closet, Grand Rapids

Ruth’s Free Wig Closet, Grand Rapids

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity, Floodwood

United Way of 1,000 Lakes, Grand Rapids

United Way of 1,000 Lakes received $2,000 toward their “stuff the bus” initiative, which is a program they’ve operated since 2019. The program empowers students and sets them up for a successful learning journey, while simultaneously supporting the financial stability of the family. Backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies are distributed to families through schools and other non-profit partners across United Way’s service area of Itasca County and surrounding communities.

“Support from Lake County Power’s Operation Round Up program ensures that more local students will have access to the tools they need to succeed, including backpacks, headphones, binders, pens, and pencils,” said Executive Director Kim Brink Smith. “The program is just one of the ways United Way is working to address equity in our community.”

Operation Round Up is a charitable program unique to electric co-ops, which is designed to provide financial assistance to worthwhile activities and community projects by “rounding up” members’ electric bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation of each participating Lake Country Power member is less than $6 annually.

Among Lake Country Power’s 44,000 members, more than 70 percent of all active electric accounts participate in the program through voluntary contributions. Interested members can opt into the Operation Round Up program by calling the cooperative at (800) 421-9959.

Applications are available online at www.lakecountrypower.coop

The next application deadline is Aug. 15.

Lake Country Power, www.lakecountrypower.coop, is a Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving parts of eight counties in northeastern Minnesota. The rural electric cooperative provides services to more than 44,000 members and has offices located in Cohasset, Kettle River and Mountain Iron.