Operation Round Up

When Scott Ellinger first decided to serve free meals on Thanksgiving six years ago, the idea started small for The Brass Rail restaurant owner.

“I said I’m just going to feed people who can’t be with their families,” he recalled.

Since Operation Round Up was launched, nearly $6 million has been awarded to help disadvantaged individuals, families and community organizations.

Each milestone has been the result of the generosity from Cuivre River Electric Cooperative members.

CREC members voluntarily "round up" their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. The average yearly donation is just $6 per member.

With his mother already homeless, one man journeyed across the state of Missouri between trips in and out of jail looking for a home. Nearby, a woman had been homeless for the past four years, never knowing when she might sleep somewhere with a roof over her.

It all started when a prayer group consisting of St. Charles residents adopted families in need one Christmas. As they reviewed the childrens' wish lists, some of the items were for basic necessities, like underwear and socks.

"They said if they need underwear at Christmas, they must need things all year long," recalled Audrey Ryan, Eagle's Wings president.

Last summer, there was a quadriplegic zooming down a zip line. Nearby, a gentleman who was paralyzed on one side of his body is water skiing and a blind woman is climbing a rock wall.

And parents and caregivers who are normally tending to their needs are receiving a break from their 24/7 lifestyle.

OATS Transit riders in Lincoln and Pike counties will soon be enjoying their rides in new mini buses.

The Cuivre River Electric Community Trust recently presented a $2,400 Operation Round Up grant to the Missouri-based not-for-profit transportation provider.

In a time of need, school nurses are sometimes the first resource for children.

The children visit a nurse for many reasons other than a medical illness. The student may be hungry from not eating breakfast, or in need of personal care or clothing items. Sometimes the items may not be available and the children have to do without.
The Adopt-A-Family Ministry based in Wentzville is hoping to fill the void.

More than 34,000 people in Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service service area consisting of St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties are living below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census.

Since Operation Round Up was started more than 20 years, ago, the program has made a $5.6 million difference in our communities one penny at a time.

The community outreach program has proven to be a simple way for Cuivre River Electric members to help a neighbor in need and ensure that our communities continue to thrive.

Operation Round Up exists through the generosity of members who voluntarily choose to "round up" their electric bill payments each month to the next dollar amount.

Two new trustees were appointed by the Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Board of Directors to the co-op’s Community Trust, which facilitates the distribution of funds raised through Operation Round Up.