MiEnergy Cooperative members give $6,650 in local donations

Cresco, IA | Rushford, MN  (8 a.m. March 31, 2021)— MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met in March and elected to donate $6,650 to the following local organizations:

• $750, American Legion Post 400, Canton, Minn., to help repair lights at the Canton Softball Field.
• $700, Riceville Community Club, Riceville, Iowa, to support the building of the Riceville splash pad.
• $600, Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation, Decorah, Iowa, to help purchase supplies for a volunteer who makes pillowcases for children’s hospital rooms.
• $500, American Legion Post 135, Cresco, Iowa, to help purchase materials to build lending libraries in Howard County.
• $500, Fillmore Central Community Education, Preston, Minn., to help purchase a canopy for the mini playscape.
• $500, Fillmore County Historical Society, Fountain, Minn., to help purchase archival-quality storage containers.
• $500, Lake LaBelle, Inc., Winona, Minn., to help increase accessibility to the lake with a raised boardwalk, dock and ramp.
• $500, Monster Bash, Inc., Harmony, Minn., to update handicap accessible restrooms.
• $500, Project Get Outdoors, Wabasha, Minn., to help create a documentary film with lesson plans for middle and high school classrooms to educate youth on public lands and their histories in southeast Minnesota.
• $500, Quilter’s Therapy, Mabel, Minn., to help purchase materials and long-arm quilting of quilts for local veterans.
• $500, Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah, Iowa, to help improve the trail network with signage and portable restrooms.
• $250, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Cresco, Iowa, to purchase radio equipment.

Operation Round Up is funded by donations made by members of MiEnergy Cooperative who voluntarily have their electric bill round up to the next dollar. The average donation is $6 per year and 1,953 MiEnergy members participate.

The program is based on the idea that small change adds up. Currently, the program gives away approximately $11,000 each year to local organizations. 

The Operation Round Up Trust Board chooses where the funds get donated and the amount of the donation based on an application process. The trust board members include Neil Broadwater, of Winona, secretary/treasurer; Beth George, of Houston; Roy Kryzer, Lewiston; Janelle Mahr, of Lime Springs, president; Larry Hafner, of La Crescent, vice president; Teresa Ross, of Hokah; Shannon Schmelzer, of Cresco; Perry-O Sliwa of Decorah; and Tom Tibor, of Minnesota City. 

Donations to Operation Round Up are tax deductible. Organizations receive grants through an application process. The next application deadline is August 15. To learn more about Operation Round Up or to round up your electric bill, visit www.MiEnergy.coop or call 1-800-432-2285.