After recently surpassing the $1 million milestone in Operation Round Up donations, Carroll White REMC Round Up’s Board of Trustees granted $14,200 to eight non-profits in the service territory.
“We were very excited to celebrate reaching the $1 million mark,” said Casey Crabb, Carroll White REMC Communications and Public Relations Manager. “Moving forward, we hope to secure more members in the Round Up program. Our dedicated Operation Round Up Board of Trustees quarterly extend grants to assist area non-profits, and we are now on our journey to reach the $2 million donation pinnacle.”
In the second quarter grant cycle, the largest grant of $3,000 was awarded to Frontier High School’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). This grant will enable 24 Frontier students to attend the June National Leadership Conference in Seattle, Washington.
“These students won their division at the Indiana Leadership Conference to secure their national spot,” wrote grant writer Melissa Culver-Pekney, who is proud of Frontier’s strong representation at this level of competition.
This event allows students to network with FCCLA members and advisors from across the nation. Students attend leadership workshops, participate in competitive events, explore career pathways, and learn from industry experts.
Two $2,500 grants were allocated, one to Tri-County Summer Meals and the other to the Idaville Volunteer Department.
“The Tri-County Summer Meals program is designed to provide summer meals for children 18 years old and younger during the summer months when school lunches are not available,” wrote grant writer Gina Anderson.
“For the past 13 years, Tri-County has provided nutritious lunches free of charge for youth in the community,” wrote Anderson. “During the summer of 2023, we served 3,428 lunches and breakfasts, an increase of 765 meals from the previous summer. In the past, we have provided a small food pantry and a book giveaway and invited community members (firemen, police officers, librarians) to come in and give a special program. This helps build relationships with the families.”
The Idaville Volunteer Fire Department will utilize its $2,500 grant to replace dated pagers. “The pagers we are using are close to 10 years old,” wrote grant writer Kevin Heiny. “Pages are our first alert to a medical or fire emergency in the community and need to be in good working condition.”
“Currently, we have 20 firefighters in our department,” wrote Heiny. “Pagers cost $400 each.”
KIRPRC Head Start was awarded $2,000 to assist in playground rubber matting maintenance. “In order to maintain a safe and hazard-free playground, repairs to the rubber matting are needed,” wrote grant writer Tiffany Stigers.
“One of the Head Start program’s goals is to prepare children for kindergarten and age-appropriate growth and development,” wrote Stigers. “The creative curriculum is utilized in the classroom through play. The playground is considered an extension of the classroom.”
Frontier High School’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) received a $2,000 grant for students to attend the national competition in Chicago. “Over the past few months, 24 Frontier BPA students qualified to attend the nationals, scheduled in May,” wrote grant writer, Jennifer Newcom. “Students have worked hard to get to this point, and we want to make attending national competition as affordable as possible for students.”
Through BPA, students compete in more than 50 Workplace Skills Assessment Program events at regional, state, and national levels. “BPA students learn about business, from entrepreneurship to office management and marketing,” wrote Newcom. “These are skills they will take with them into the workforce and beyond.”
West Central High School’s FCCLA received a $1,000 grant for two students to attend the National Leadership Competition in Seattle. “For some students, this will be their first time flying or even leaving this area,” wrote grant writer Stephanie Thilges. “In the past, West Central students have reached new heights because of their achievement and participation in FCCLA.”
Pulaski County Soil & Water received a $1,000 grant to host Soil Solutions events. “Our Soil Solutions event will be hosted in North Central Indiana,” grant writer Autumn Knebel wrote. “It will span across five counties: Cass, Fulton, Miami, Pulaski, and Wabash.”
“Soil and Water Conservation Districts will host a hands-on, in-depth education field day presented by Ray Archuleta, a national health scientist,” wrote Knebel. “Another event will feature Ray and Barry Fisher, experienced soil specialists. They will articulate how farmers, grazers, and agriculturalists can mimic nature to improve their soils, biodiversity, health, organic matter, erosion control, and water filtration.”
Grant writer Penny Minnear requested funds to assist in sponsoring the Frontier High School After Prom. These events are to provide a safe venue for students. The organization received $200.
For more information on Operation Round Up and to fill out grant applications, visit us at cwremc.coop.
