Operation Round Up
Operation Round Up (ORU): Steuben County REMC launched the Operation Round Up program in June of 2004, with
member participation beginning in August of 2004. ORU is an innovative community service fundraising program and a uniquely simple and rewarding way for our cooperative members to help fund worthwhile projects in our own local community.
Operation Round Up is just what the name implies; each month, the REMC simply rounds the ele
ctric bill of participating members to the next highest dollar. The additional change is then set aside into the ORU fund for quarterly distribution. The average estimated annual giving is approximately 50 cents per month, or $6.00 annually. Small change to the individual, perhaps, but with nearly 73% of our membership participating, the thousands of dollars the program generates can mean a big difference throughout our service territory. Since its inception, over $300,000 has been dispersed through grant applications.
A separate volunteer board of directors, made up of three REMC members (Sherry Holiday, Chip Folck and Carter Snider), and two REMC employees (Jaime Boswell and Steve Smith), administer the fund and set guidelines for the distribution of the contributions.
Operation Round Up is all about community spirit, service and goodwill. It is an exciting extension of Steuben County REMC's pledge of commitment to our community.
For a grant application and information on closing dates, click here.
