For just pennies a month, the power of our members joining together is making a huge impact on our community. Thanks to our participating Operation Round Up members for allowing their bills to be rounded up each month to the nearest dollar.
Since January 2002, more than $730,000 has been given back locally. The funds have been used by organizations serving all sectors of our community youth, seniors, young families, and everyone in-between.
The following organizations received Operation Round Up funds:
Feed My Starving Children received $1,000 for its MobilePack event, which is in its 14th year. Volunteers from the area pack meals of MannaPack Rice. As FMSCs first and original food formula, MannaPack Rice is an excellent source of protein, carbohydrates, and key nutrients culturally acceptable worldwide for anyone over the age of one.
The Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana received $1,200 to be used for financial assistance for low-income families and to help support the Girl Scouts Leadership Experience (GSLE). The GSLE builds skills in four key areas: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), the outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship. Thirty-one girls in LaGrange County currently participate.
Reason 4 Hope was awarded $1,500 for its Bus Stop Events where the organization will hand out nearly 700 backpacks, school supplies, and other needed items to students in need.
The LaGrange County 4-H Fair Association received $2,900 to help complete the overhaul of the drainage system at the fairgrounds. Currently, several of the livestock buildings, parking area, horse arena and campground flood when it rains. With proper drainage, they will be able to make much-needed improvements to the campground and livestock barns.
The Stroh Volunteer Fire Department was granted $2,900 to help with the purchase of 800 feet of 5-inch fire hose. This hose is used for large volume water supply, hydrant connections, relay pumping and in situations where there is a long driveway to get to the fire. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 standard requires 1,200 feet of supply hose for each engine and this purchase would meet that requirement.
For local, nonprofit organizations seeking funding for a project, please fill out and return an application to the LaGrange County REMC office by Wednesday, Oct. 1, to be considered for the next round of Operation Round Up disbursements. Applications can be downloaded from the REMC website, lagrangeremc.com.
