As CREC’s Operation Round Up program surpassed another million-dollar milestone earlier this year, it proved once again that small donations over time can collectively make a big impact.
And what an achievement this has been over the past two-plus decades. In March, Operation Round Up topped the $8 million mark for grants awarded to individuals, families and community organizations since the program was founded in 1997.
Of that amount, $3.86 million has been distributed in St. Charles County, $2.34 million in Lincoln County, $1.34 million in Warren County and $463,159 in Pike County. A total of 14,004 individual/family and community organization grants have been awarded.
“The generosity of our members is instrumental in enhancing the lives of our grant recipients,” said Tim Schmidt, Operation Round Up Coordinator. “Reaching this milestone fills us with pride, as our commitment to community is not just a cooperative principle but a value we’ve upheld since CREC was founded in 1941.”
What sets Operation Round Up apart is that every dollar contributed to the non-profit organization is fully returned to the community. There are no administrative fees, and all Trust Board members volunteer their time to help distribute the funds each month they meet. They do this because, as fellow community members, they are deeply committed to strengthening the places they call home.
“Every grant awarded plays a crucial role in transforming the lives of individuals and organizations within our communities and fostering positive change,” Trust Board Chairman Kyle Shell said. “Each month is rewarding to support worthy programs and causes.”
Grant recipients are selected monthly by the seven-member Trust Board. Operation Round Up funds are made possible from CREC members who voluntarily “round up” their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. Over 95 percent of the cooperative’s members participate in Operation Round Up. The average yearly donation is just $6 per member.
Members who wish to donate more each month may enroll in Operation Round Up Plus. This allows for an extra donation amount, such as $1, $5 or more, to be added to their monthly bill. Donations may also be made directly to the Trust or members can choose to donate their capital credit checks to the program. All contributions are tax-deductible, and 100 percent of the funds allocated to Operation Round Up are used for grants.
Applicants are not required to be CREC members, but they must reside in the cooperative’s service area. For more information, call 636-695-4837 or email tschmidt@cuivre.com. Applications are available at the Troy and Lake Saint Louis offices or can be downloaded here.