The holiday season is finally here. Some call it the most wonderful season of all. That’s because we associate it with family traditions and gatherings with friends and loved ones. It’s a time of giving and spreading joy. 

But giving back reminds me of the many good things we have right here in our community and why it’s so important to spread the good as far as we can, especially to the most vulnerable in our area. I’m also reminded of how wonderful our community is and what a big impact we can have when we work together.

When you are a member of Heartland REMC, you help us spread the good throughout the year. Through our Operation Round Up program, your donations help local non-profits. 

When you “round up” your monthly bill from Heartland REMC and donate to this fund, you’re making a big difference for these non-profit groups. You are helping to meet an immediate, critical need, but just as importantly, you are telling this group the community cares.  

Over the years, our community-focused programs, food donations and other giving projects have supported local schools and young people, fed hungry families, and so much more. 

Heartland REMC also participates in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors. 

You’ve likely heard us say that the cooperative principle “concern for community” is part of Heartland REMC’s DNA. It defines who we are as an organization. When we first brought electricity to this community in 1936, the quality of life improved. But other things also needed to be addressed, and through the years, this co-op has been at the forefront of bringing improvements to the quality of life in this community. It’s why we created Operation Round Up. 

To date, with your help, we’ve given over $200,000 back to local families and individuals through this program. And across the country, more than 350 electric co-ops have an Operation Round Up program, and together, we’ve raised millions for local communities. This shows that small donations from electric co-ops like ours, over time, can collectively make a big impact.

As a local cooperative with only local employees, we have a stake in this community. We hope you will think of Heartland REMC as more than your energy provider, but also as a catalyst for good in our community. 

I hope all our members have a joyous holiday season. May it be merry and bright!

To learn more about Operation Round Up, visit heartlandremc.com.