A Record-Breaking Year

In a time when so many individuals and families continue to face hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of Operation Round Up continued to make positive waves in Cuivre River Electric's five-county service area.

Thanks to the generosity of members, a record-breaking year was celebrated in 2021 as the Cuivre River Electric Community Trust Board awarded 263 grants totaling $367,796.71. This was the highest amount recorded in a single year, surpassing the previous high of $355,720.80 awarded in 2019.

The Numbers

In 2021, 120 grants equaling $143,436.72 were issued to individuals and families, 64 grants for $144,859.99 were presented to organizations and 80 college scholarships totaling $79,500 were awarded to students. Since formed in 1997, Operation Round Up has awarded grants totaling $6.7 million. This year, the program will surpass the $7 million mark.

Members Generosity 

Operation Round Up funds are made possible from Cuivre River Electric members who voluntarily "round up" their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. Over 95% 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.

How it Works

Operation Round Up funds are administered each month by a seven-member volunteer Trust Board. Applications are accepted monthly, with the deadline the final day of each month. The Trust Board reviews each application and meets on the second Thursday of the following month. The following people will continue serving on the Trust Board in 2022: Redonda Heitman and Blanche Kelly (Lincoln County), Kyle Shell, Lisa Dunham and Tammi Kneib (St. Charles County), and John Deutch and John Nordwald (Warren County).

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.