Through the contributions of Lake Country Power's participating members, the Operation Round Up® Electric Trust Board recently approved $51,953 in assistance to local community programs during its quarterly meeting.
The cooperative’s Trust Board reviewed and considered 34 grant applications and distributed funds to 31 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% is distributed to charitable organizations through an application and selection process. The Trust Board uses special guidelines and policies when choosing recipients.
“Every week we serve about 200 families and foster children,” said Karen Tinquist, owner and operator of Foster Love Closet. “Families can shop for items at no cost – anything from clothing, socks, toys, books, baby food, formula, diapers, baby furniture and whatever else we receive as donations or are able to purchase.”
Foster Love Closet is open one day a week on Thursday’s so they could use more volunteers to expand, which is located across the hall from North in Bloom. During the holidays and back-to-school season, the store is open more often. “I’ve had so many people say how great this is for our community,” added Tinquist.
Most Recent Recipients
- Itasca Community Television, Inc., Grand Rapids
- Northeast Range School Iron Mosquitos Robotics Team, Babbitt
- Community Garden, Federal Dam
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Quilters, Kettle River
- Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Tower
- Zion Love Project, Grand Rapids
- TWC Caring Program, Wright
- Loon Country Quilters, Grand Rapids
- Patchwork Pals, Remer
- Friends of Wirtanen Pioneer Farm, Makinen
- United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, Chisholm
- Parent Teacher Association, Bigfork
- Civic Club, Tower/Soudan
- Lawron Church Quilters, Bovey
- Trinity Lutheran Church Quilters, Cook
- Area Community Club, Cromwell
- North Homes Children and Family Services, Grand Rapids
- Queen of Peace Quilters, Cloquet
- Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, Virginia
- Foster Love Closet, Grand Rapids
- Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, Grand Rapids
- Project Care Free Clinic, Hibbing
- Area Food Shelf, Deer River
- Wee Care Sewers, Cloquet
- Open Door Coat Rack, Grand Rapids
- New Beginnings, Grand Rapids
- Care Partners, Eveleth
- Advocates for Family Peace, Grand Rapids
- Salvation Army, Virginia
- Well Being Development/Northern Lights Clubhouse, Ely
- St. Vincent de Paul — Helping Neighbors in Need, Longville
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 43,000 members, 67% 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 (My Cooperative > Community > Operation Round Up®). The next application deadline is November 15.