OPERATION ROUND UP DISPERSES OVER $700,000 TO DATE TO THE COMMUNITY

It’s your spare change that’s making a big difference in our community. Thanks to our participating Operation Round Up members for allowing their bills to be rounded up each month to the nearest dollar. Since the beginning of the program in January 2002, over $707,000 has been given back to our community. The money has been used by organizations who serve all sectors of our community — youth, seniors, young families, and everyone in-between.

The fourth quarter distribution of Operation Round Up funding totaled $12,191.50 and included:

LaGrange First Church of God — Night to Shine was awarded $5,000. Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs 14 and older and is sponsored in part by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The funds will be used to help pay for a catered meal for all the guests.

Elijah Haven Crisis Center received $3,191.50. The funds will be used to start a Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) in 2025 in LaGrange County. This will help abusers make it to the education/rehabilitation classes that can most effectively treat the root of their abusive tendencies.

LaGrange County Council on Aging received $2,500 for the purchase of a sound system, five televisions, and accessories. Currently, the audio/visual set up for its luncheons and other events is not adequate. An upgrade will have a great impact on the senior center.

Community Harvest Food Bank received $1,500. This money will be used for the Farm Wagon in LaGrange County. This contribution will aid in providing 7,895 pounds of food to households in need.

For local, nonprofit organizations who are seeking funding for a project, please fill out and return an application to the LaGrange County REMC office by Thursday, Jan. 2, to be considered for the next round of Operation Round Up disbursements. Applications can be downloaded from the REMC website, lagrangeremc.com.