Co-op Connections
About the Program
Participating Businesses
Business Enrollment
RX Price Quotes
Locate Providers

Energy at Home
Your House
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Home Energy Audit
Certified Geothermal Contractors
Guardian Generators
Water Heater Credits

Giving
Scholarships
Operation Round Up

Propane Plus
Propane Service

Employment
Job Openings

Operation Round Up


Southwestern Electric members can now fund worthwhile, pro-community projects in the co-op’s service area simply by checking a box at the bottom of their utility bill. The program, announced at Southwestern’s annual meeting of members, is called Operation Round Up.

“Operation Round Up allows the members of Southwestern Electric Cooperative, on a volunteer basis, to support charitable projects that benefit our co-op members,” said Sandy Nevinger, Southwestern’s director of member services and public relations. “Participation is simple. Members just check a box on their bill stub and they’re enrolled.”

Each month, the electric bills of participating co-op members are rounded to the next highest dollar. The extra change collected from participating members is added to the Round Up fund.

“For example, if your bill was $86.30, you would be billed $87, and the additional 70 cents would be contributed in your name to Operation Round Up,” said Nevinger. The average member contribution will add up to about $6 per year. “When you consider we have nearly 20,000 potential participants, you realize how quickly Operation Round Up could make substantial contributions to any number of worthwhile community projects,” Nevinger said.

Contributions to Operation Round Up are tax deductible.

Funds will be dedicated to projects in Southwestern’s service area. Contributions will be limited to not-for-profit organizations such as schools and civic groups. “We’re helping organizations that work to make our communities a better place to live,” Nevinger said.

“We understand that not everyone will want to participate. That’s why we made it an opt-in program,” she said. “If at any time a participating member wants to withdraw from the program, all they have to do is call. We’ll send a form for them to sign, and that’s all it takes.”

Dan Tillman, Southwestern’s director of finance, said funds collected for Operation Round Up go to a perpetual charitable trust administered by three cooperative members appointed by Southwestern Electric’s board of directors. Current trustees are Don Schmid of Edwardsville, chair; Michele McEvers of Sorento, vice chair; and Bruce Lowry of Vandalia, secretary/treasurer.

Representatives from not-for-profit organizations that would like to apply for Operation Round Up funds may pick up an application at Southwestern Electric’s offices in Greenville or St. Jacob. For more information contact Susan File at (800) 637-8667.

Yes! I would like to enroll in Operation Round Up. CLICK HERE

Southwestern Electric Operation Round Up grants for 2007-2009

Altamont Fire Protection District (Altamont), $500 for blowers & generator

American Legion Post 1180 (Mulberry Grove), $600 for flagpoles

Bond County Humane Society, $500 for low-cost spay/neuter initiative

Bond County Memorial VFW Post 1377, $525 for ceremonial bugle and case

Bond County Senior Center, $400 for Meals on Wheels program

Boy Scout Troop #176 (Beecher City), $200 for park pavilion

Central Illinois Honor Flight, $400 to send one WWII veteran to Washington, D.C.

Clippers Swim Team - Parents’ Club (Greenville), $350 for swimsuits

Clinton County Showcase (Breese), $500 for electrical system & lighting

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (Madison County), $500 for youth sportsman education

Highland Area Christian Service Ministry, $400 for food pantry

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (Bond County) $600 for traveling book barn

Ministerial Association Relief Fund (Pocahontas area), $500 for food pantry supplies

Mulberry Grove Aces Scholastic Clay Target Program, $300 to shooting team

Mulberry Grove Fire Protection District, $200 for topographic maps

Mulberry Grove Rocket Team, $100 for equipment

Pocahontas American Legion Post, $500 for building project

Prairie State Prevention Education, Inc. (Bond, Clinton & Madison Counties), $200 for education services

Ramsey Sports Boosters, $500 for concession stand construction

Sexual Assault Family Emergencies (Bond, Effingham & Fayette Counties), $400 for support services

Sorento Food Pantry, $200 for supplies

St. Elmo Parent Teacher Organization, $300 for community service materials

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and School of Prairietown (Dorsey), $1000 for automated external defibrillator

Triad High School Band - Parents’ Association (Madison County), $300 for trailer

University of Illinois Extension - Clinton County Unit (Breese), $508 for robotics learning equipment

Whitetails Unlimited: Shoal Creek Chapter (Bond & Madison Counties), $900 for youth sportsman education