Small coins make a big difference when Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative members join together to fund change in their communities. More than $12,400 in first-quarter grants was distributed to 11 local organizations through the co-op’s Operation Round Up program.
Participating members “round up” their monthly electric bills to the next dollar, with the extra pennies being used to help fund community charities and groups.
Since Operation Round Up’s inception in 2010, it has provided more than $417,256 to over 136 organizations in Indiana and Ohio. The most recent recipients are the Cecil and Paulding County Fire Departments, Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, Paulding County’s Relay for Life, Putnam County Historical Museum, United Way of Putnam County, Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert, Antwerp Local Schools, Van Wert County Emergency Management/CERT, Putnam County Special Olympics, and the Apollo Education Foundation in Lima.
A board of trustees, composed of co-op members and separate from the PPEC board, oversees the application process. Organizations can apply for Operation Round Up assistance by contacting Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op at 1-800-686-2357 or visiting www.ppec.coop/operation-round-up. To view the photos, names, and details about what each grant will purchase, check out PPEC’s Facebook album.
