At the January Carroll White REMC Operation Round Up Board of Trustees meeting, trustees awarded grants to 11 non-profits in the service territory. Those grants pushed the donations since the program’s inception to over $1 million!
“This milestone is a tribute to every REMC member who voluntarily rounds up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar to be placed in the Operation Round Up fund,” said Carroll White REMC CEO Cathy Raderstorf. “We are so proud of our members and applaud your spirit of giving back to the community. On March 20, we will host a celebratory event to honor this great achievement.”
In the first quarter of 2024, the CW REMC Operation Round Up Board of Trustees distributed grants that totaled $12,200.
Also, at the first quarterly meeting of 2024, trustees elected board officers to serve in the new fiscal year. Kristen Miller was elected to serve as chairman, Brent Gady as vice chairman, Paula Westfall as secretary, and Kathy Zink as treasurer. Other trustees currently serving include Candy Byers, Jeff Lowry, and Kenneth Robertson.
In this quarter, the largest grant of $4,000 was awarded to Carroll County Emergency Management Agency. “Our proposed project is focusing on enhancing community preparedness and safety by securing funding for a CPR training initiative in 2024,” wrote grant writer Michael Fincher.
The Twin Lakes PAT Club received a $2,000 grant to assist in purchasing a Public Address (PA) system for the Twin Lakes High School football field. “In April 2024, the T. L. football field is being refurbished, but the budget does include a new sound system,” wrote grant writer Tony Goyer. “Once the turf field is installed, the new sound system will be used by the football team, unified football, soccer, track, youth football, and the marching band. This is a major investment to the youth of Monticello and Twin Lakes.”
The Twin Lakes Garden Club was awarded $1,500 to assist in its mission of teaching students the value of growing their own food. “In addition to teaching them how to garden, we are teaching them how therapeutic it is to grow plants,” wrote Elizabeth Andrews, grant writer.
The Wolcott Main Street organization is earmarking its $1,000 grant award to assist them in a gift basket program for new residents. “The members of the Wolcott Main Street are partnering with area small businesses to fill newcomer baskets with information and items from their shops,” wrote grant writer Marilyn Maxwell.
The City of Delphi Parks Board will use a $1,000 grant to assist in the Movies in the Park Project. “With the purchase of movie equipment, we will be able to provide free family entertainment for countless people now and in the future,” wrote grant writer Kate Evans, president of the Delphi Parks Board.
Junior Achievement (JA) of Carroll County received a $750 grant to fund Delphi Community Elementary School’s fourth and fifth-grade classes in the curriculum of JA Our Nation.
Grant writer and teacher Melody Knoth, who teaches Principles of Digital Design, Business Management, and Office Administration at Delphi Community High School, requested a $500 grant for a seven-attachment mug press for a digital design class.
“We will be able to use this digital mug press in all the classes I teach,” said Knoth. “My digital design students will be able to design graphics for cups/mugs while my business and office classes will be able to market these to students, teachers, parents, and other community members to raise funds for classroom supplies.”
Roosevelt Singers, a select auditioned group of 8th graders from the Roosevelt Middle School Choral Department, are using their $500 Operation Round Up grant to attend a live musical performance in Indianapolis.
“As the choral director for the past 31 years, I have placed importance on instilling in students a life-long love of music,” wrote grant writer Laura Lee. “I hope to provide students with an opportunity to experience a professional performance, as not only a way for them to learn the appreciation of the arts but also to see where their own talents could take them.”
The Flora-Monroe Township Public Library received a $450 grant to assist in purchasing a Mobile Cart to aid in storing and displaying children’s books. “The children’s librarian will create monthly displays with the cart that will feature holidays, events, or beloved characters,” wrote grant writer Rachel Ashcraft, library director.
Delphi Community High School Library received $300 to purchase 13 additional graphic novels to add to their collection. “Graphic novels are becoming more and more popular,” wrote grant writer Amy Tonsoni, School Librarian. “Currently our graphic novels section is insufficient in meeting the needs of our students.”
The West Central After-Prom Committee received $200 to assist in providing a safe and fun experience following the West Central High School prom. “This event will be held at West Central High School in Francesville,” grant writer Donita Stimson wrote.
For complete information on Operation Round Up, visit cwremc.coop.
