Operation Round Up®

Small Change Changes Lives

Operation Round Up® is a program which was established in 1994 to provide assistance to Four County members who find themselves in unexpected, crisis situations beyond their control (illness, injury, loss of job, house fire, natural disaster), and to fund non-profit organizations which provide services and support to Four County com munities. Since 1994, more than 900 individual and 139 organization grants have been funded through Operation Round Up®.

What member needs or organizations are funded? Essential needs not met through other means may include food, clothing, housing, medical expenses and equipment, etc. Organizations funded include volunteer fire departments, literacy councils, Special Olympics, children/youth and senior citizens programs, food banks, and domestic violence shelters.

Who is eligible to apply for Operation Round Up® funds? In order to apply for funding, you must be an active member of Four County Electric, in other words, receive your electricity from Four County. Organizations do not have to receive their electricity from Four County; however, they must serve Four County members.

How can members in need or organizations apply for Operation Round Up® funding? Those in need of funding may pick up an application from any Four County office. Organizational applications must include Form 501-C3 to verify tax exempt status.

Who approves applications for Operation Round Up® funding? The Operation Round Up® TRUST Fund is administered by a nine-member Board of Directors. Board members are com munity leaders from across the Four County service area who meet every other month to consider applications received. These Board members take very seriously their responsibility to investigate all requests for funding and make awards to individuals who have the most serious needs and organizations who provide services and support for Four County communities.

How are funds generated? Each month, members' electric bills are "rounded up" to the next whole dollar. For example, if your electric bill is $52.71, you will be billed for $53.00. The 29 cents difference will go into the TRUST Fund. The average contribution per account in a year is $6.00. The maximum amount that could be donated per account is $11.88. Operation Round Up® contributions are tax deductible.

We want to encourage you to participate in Operation Round Up®

Over 22,800 Four County members currently participate in Operation Round Up® and contribute only pennies a month; however, these pennies add up to over $11,000 a month—money that goes back into the communities in which you live. If you are not participating in Round Up, or if you're not sure you do, e-mail sandyrooks@fourcty.org and tell us to"Sign me up!" We'll take care of it for you. Together we can see over and over again that "small change really does change lives." www.fourcty.org/roundup