February 2011 grants awarded
Capital Electric - April 1, 2011
 |
|
On Feb. 24, 2011, Capital Electric held a check presentation ceremony for grants awarded through its Operation Round Up program. Leann Domonoske-Kellar (right), ambulance coordinator, accepts a check from LeAna Hug, a member of the Charitable Trust board of directors, for expenses associated with equipment. |
In a time of disappearing grant funds for many local charities, Operation Round Up funds can help bridge the budget gap. The Capital Electric Charitable Trust board of directors directed funds specifically to those individuals and organizations they felt were most in need during the last grant review held Feb. 8, 2011.
Quirina Schmidt, Charitable Trust board member, summed it up this way. "Our job is to put the money where it is needed most and where we can make the most difference for someone." The other four board members agree that it's all about filling the greatest need.
Newly elected to the board in February was LeAna Hug of Baldwin. Patricia Ryberg of Bismarck was also re-elected to serve another three-year term. Other board members include Schmidt, Jerry Doan and Dennis Burrer. Capital Electric thanks outgoing board member Edwin McCarty for serving two, three-year terms.
During the latest application review, the board approved 12 grants for a total of $10,000. The grants were distributed in a check presentation ceremony on Feb. 24 at co-op headquarters in Bismarck. The recipients included:
- Abused Adult Resource Center for its women's shelter
- Community Action Program for its Backpacks for Kids program
- Community member for medical expenses
- Miss Teen ND for a tobacco-free teens tour
- ND Association for the Disabled for its Escape to the Lake Extravaganza
- Prairie Rose State Games for the 2011 games to be held in Bismarck
- Pride Manchester House for a playground set
- Red Ribbon Carnival committee for its anti-drug event
- Ruth Meiers Hospitality House for its men's emergency shelter
- The Banquet for its local food ministry
- Welcome House for homeless assistance
- Wilton Rural Ambulance District for a power cot
 |
|
Current members of the Capital Electric Charitable Trust board are (bottom left to right) LeAna Hug, Quirina Schmidt and Patricia Ryberg; and (top left to right) co-op communications director Wes Engbrecht and Dennis Burrer. (Jerry Doan not pictured.) |
How does Operation Round Up work?
Capital Electric members agree to have their monthly electric bills "rounded up" to the nearest dollar each month. Those pennies are placed in a Charitable Trust and awarded twice yearly to various groups and organizations.
Almost 6,000 Capital customers participate in Operation Round Up. Their collective pennies generate almost $2,500 a month in funds for the trust. Since its inception in August 1997, more than 31 million pennies in Operation Round Up funds have been donated to various organizations and individuals in the Capital Electric service area.
Wes Engbrecht, director of communications and public relations for the co-op, says any person in the counties of Burleigh and Sheridan may submit an application to receive an Operation Round Up grant. The next application deadline will be July 31.
EVERY MEMBER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
If you are a Capital Electric member and you do not currently round up your bill, please consider participating in the Operation Round Up program! Your donation is tax deductible and members who give will receive a summarized statement in their last billing statement of the year.
Thanks in part to the pennies awarded through the latest batch of grants, the Wilton Rural Ambulance District will be able to purchase a power cot. Leann Domonoske-Kellar, ambulance coordinator, expressed gratitude for the Operation Round Up program, and co-op members make this possible. You, too, can make a difference for less than one dollar each month. To participate in the program, please call Capital Electric at (701) 223-1513. To download an application and request a grant, click here.