Over $300,000 Given to Community Through Operation Round Up Grants

Trustees for the Dubois REC Operation Round Up fund met last month to award grants to local groups and organizations. In this grant cycle, the co-op topped more than $300,000 in grants, as nine organizations received a total $12,323 in June. This brings the total amount of grants awarded to $304,220.78 since 2011.

“We appreciate our members who make this possible,” said Dubois REC CEO Don Book. “This is a simple program that allows our members to give a few cents each month, as they permit us to round their electric bill up to the next dollar. But when you combine all those nickels, dimes and pennies, it adds up to a substantial amount that can do a lot of good in our local community. We’re proud to coordinate this program that supports groups and organizations that are working hard to make our community a better place.”

Those eligible to apply for the funds include groups or organizations located within the Dubois REC service territory, which covers the counties of Dubois, Crawford, Perry, Pike, Orange and Martin. Grants are available for local volunteer fire departments, youth programs, 4-H, senior citizen programs and other community service projects. The fund will NOT be used to pay any electric or utility bills or be used in any way to support or oppose any political candidate or campaign.

Listed below are the recipients of the Operation Round Up grants that were awarded in the most recent grant cycle.

Boy Scout Troop 186 – Ferdinand received a $500 grant to help purchase tents, cooking appliances and coolers to be used on camping trips.

Crawford County Chamber of Commerce received a $2,000 grant to help fund the construction and installation of a memorial for past sheriffs of Crawford County.

Dubois County 4-H Livestock Judging Team received a $1,750 grant to help purchase additional Automated External Defibrillator units for the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center received a $860 grant to help install seating around the outdoor riding area and an audio system for the indoor riding arena.

Northeast Dubois Elementary Preschool received a $2,000 grant to purchase supplies in order to expand their current half-day preschool program to a full-day program for 3 and 4 year-olds.

Girl Scouts received a $750 grant to repair the volleyball courts at the park, including new nets, bleachers, sand and painting the poles.

Jasper Band Parents received a $1,000 grant to help fund instruction and equip the Color Guard.

St. Anthony American Legion received a $1,250 grant to help purchase an ice machine.

St. Henry Vol. Fire Dept. received a grant for $2,213 to replace fire equipment and hoses.

Dubois REC will accept applications for the next grant cycle of Operation Round Up® grants Aug. 1 – 31. Grants must be submitted before 4 p.m. on Aug. 31. Representatives from local civic groups, non-profits or community organizations who would like to apply for an Operation Round Up grant can download the application forms from www.duboisrec.com. Applications are also available at the Dubois REC office, by calling 812.482.5454 or sending an email to Kyla Jones at kylaj@duboisrec.com.