Local organizations continue to benefit from the generosity of co-op members who participate in Operation Round Up. They allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next dollar each month. The “extra” change is collected in the SIREC Trust fund and distributed to local groups and organizations in the form of grants.

The minimum of a penny per month and the max of 99 cents per month allows participating members to help various organizations in our communities. The seven-member volunteer board meets in March to select the spring winners and again in October to select the fall grant winners. Scholarship applications are also accepted for the spring award period. Grant guidelines and more details can be found on the Southern Indiana Power website, www.sinpwr.com. Applications are posted on the website closer to the grant opening dates. 

Recent grant awards were given out at the 80th annual meeting:  

Chrisney Volunteer Fire Department: $2,400 to purchase two Motorola pagers and two scene lights.

Anderson Township Volunteer Fire Department: $3,172to purchase three back-up cameras and three scene lights.

Leadership Spencer County: $350to sponsor a program.

Spencer County Council on Aging: $950 to purchase a wheelchair to assist clients while in the office.

Rockport Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum: $625 to update restrooms at the museum.

Evanston Civic Association: $4,000to replace the shelter on the visitor side of the softball field.

Southern Indiana Horseman’s Club: $3,000to build a new announcer stand next to the arena.

St. Meinrad Chamber of Commerce: $3,000 for partial assistance toward
a $24,000 project to enlarge the Scout room.

Scholarships Winners ($500/each)

John Bashor
Jenna Steckler
Jacob Peters
Grace Lovell