Putting pennies to work

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Posted on Oct 27 2016 in Kankakee Valley REMC

With the holidays quickly approaching, we are reminded of the season of giving. At Kankakee Valley REMC we believe in giving year-round, and so do our members. Over 70 percent of our membership gives back each month through the Operation Round Up® program. This quarter, the Operation Round Up Trust awarded over $14,000 to area non-profit organizations.

  • Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County received a $4,072.80 grant from Operation Round Up. Pictured are from left, Wendy Elam and Linda Molenda of DTFSC, and Judy Jelinek, Operation Round Up director.

    Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County received a $4,072.80 grant from Operation Round Up. Pictured are from left, Wendy Elam and Linda Molenda of DTFSC, and Judy Jelinek, Operation Round Up director.

    Family House received $4,000 to be used for its Sliding Scale Program. With this grant, Family House will be able to sustain the program, making it possible for any low-income client needing financial assistance to visit his/her children. The grant will allow qualifying clients to be relieved of a portion of their cost for visitation services. Since 1981, Family House has been providing healthy family interactions in a safe, home-like environment.

  • Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County (DTFSC) was awarded a $4,072.80 grant to purchase drug and tobacco educational materials for students, residents and visitors of Starke County. Materials would be used by schools to reinforce the schools’ programs, community outreach through other service organizations and at community-organized events. The mission of this organization is to reduce the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among youth and adults in Starke County.
  • Courtney Gant, regional coordinator of The Crossings Educational Center, receives an Operation Round Up grant of $2,000.

    Courtney Gant, regional coordinator of The Crossings Educational Center, receives an Operation Round Up grant of $2,000.

    The Crossings Educational Center will receive the necessary kitchen updates it needs, thanks, in part, to a $2,000 grant it received. The center assists high school and adult students as they obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent, learn vocational skills and develop desirable character traits such as teamwork, problem solving and a strong work ethic. The kitchen at the center is used for providing lunches to the students. The Knox campus is one of 23 campuses in the state. Since opening in 2013, it has served over 100 students.

  • Dunebrook was awarded a $3,500 grant to support its Community Partners home visitation program. This program assists families who are in crisis and/or who are at risk. Crisis and risks that families often endure include homelessness or impending eviction, job loss, hunger and untreated mental illness. Through home visits, Community Partners works to intervene and stabilize these families, helping them to set and strive for goals, build parenting knowledge and obtain skills to connect them to community resources.
  • ABATE of Indiana-Region 2 Porter County received a $500 grant to assist with the purchasing of toys, food, and necessities for Porter County underprivileged kids. The ABATE Toyz 4 Kidz program provides these items during Christmas time.