MiEnergy members give $7,315 in local donations

Cresco, IA | Rushford, MN— MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met recently and elected to donate $7,315 to the following local organizations:

• $800, Winona YMCA, Inc, Winona, Minn., to purchase tot docks for adaptive swim lessons.
• $765, Mabel Ambulance Service, Mabel, Minn., to purchase a fit test kit which tests the face to facepiece seal on particulate respirators designed to protect crew members. 
• $650, Houston Area Preservation Initiative, Houston, Minn., to build an accessibility ramp for the historic Nels H. Forsyth home.
• $600, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Cresco, Iowa, to purchase a compact bullet resistant shield.
• $500, Friends of Peterson, Peterson, Minn., to help build the next phase of a European-influenced barefoot trail. 
• $500, Houston Holidazzle, Houston, Minn., for children’s activities and Christmas decorations for the city park.
• $500, Lanesboro Arts, Lanesboro, Minn., for summer youth art programs.
• $500, Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation, Cresco, Iowa, to restore Norman Borlaugh’s home. 
• $500, Ostrander Rural Fire Association, Ostrander, Minn., to upgrade a pickup and skid for fighting grass and field fires.
• $500, Ridgeway Fire Department, Ridgeway, Iowa, to purchase ANSI safety vests.
• $500, Rushford Area Historical Society, Rushford, Minn., for electrical updates and improve restroom accessibility.
• $500, Rushford Public Library, Rushford, Minn., to help build the Susan Hart Memorial Gazebo.
• $500, St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles, Minn., to purchase VOX books (books that talk) to help enhance reading skills for use by youth to adults.

Operation Round Up is funded by donations made by members of MiEnergy Cooperative who voluntarily have their electric bill round up to the next dollar. The average donation is $6 per year, 2,100 MiEnergy members participate and 100% of the funds generated are granted to local organizations.

The program is based on the idea that small change adds up. Currently, the program gives away approximately $12,000 each year to local organizations. 

The Operation Round Up Trust Board, made up of MiEnergy members, chooses where the funds get donated and the amount of the donation based on an application process. The trust board members include Neil Broadwater, of Winona; Dan Deitzenbach, of Fort Atkinson; Beth George, of Houston; Roy Kryzer, of Lewiston; Dennis Ostwinkle, of Decorah; Teresa Ross, of Hokah; Perry-O Sliwa of Decorah; Tom Tibor, of Minnesota City; and Mike Tuohy, of Chatfield. 

Donations to Operation Round Up are tax deductible. Organizations receive grants through an application process. The next application deadline is August 15. To learn more about Operation Round Up or to round up your electric bill, visit www.MiEnergy.coop or call 1-800-432-2285.