REC grants $9,000 to local nonprofits - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

The trustees for the Dubois REC Operation Round Up fund met recently to award $9,197.20 in grants to three local organizations. This brings the total amount of grants awarded in the community to $387,076.88 since 2011.

Operation Round Up is just what the name implies. Dubois REC members simply allow the co-op to “round up” their electric bill to the next highest dollar. That spare change goes into a fund that is overseen by a board of trustees, who are also Dubois REC members. Local groups, schools and community organizations can then apply for grants from this fund.

Those eligible to apply for the funds include groups or organizations located within the Dubois REC service territory, which covers the counties of Dubois, Crawford, Perry, Pike, Orange and Martin.

Grants are available for local volunteer fire departments, youth programs, 4-H, senior citizen programs school programs and other community service projects. The fund will NOT be used to pay any electric or utility bills or be used in any way to support or oppose any political candidate or campaign.

Listed below are the recipients of the Operation Round Up grants that were awarded in the most recent grant cycle.

Young Women LEAD received a $1,000 Operation Round Up grant to help fund their 2020 Young Women LEAD Conference. This leadership and educational conference is offered to local high school ladies from Daviess, Dubois, Crawford, Martin, Orange Perry, Pike and Spencer Counties. The event includes a keynote speaker, breakout sessions on college/career prep, budgeting for real life and self-acceptance. More information about this organization can be found at http://www.youngwomenlead.com. Operation Round Up Trustee Carla Buechler presents the grant to Chris Roush and Jen Werner.

GRACE (Give Recovery A Chance Everyday) received an Operation Round Up grant in the amount of $3197.20. The funds will help renovate a building to be used for their Mary Hoffman GRACE Centre, a recovery resource center. This building will be a safe harbor for those who need to escape temptation of relapse, a place of educational resources, and peer support. Renovations include paint, gutter repair and restroom renovation. More info about this program can be found at http://www.gracehousein.org. Operation Round Up Trustee Cindy Belcher presents the grant to Sherri Bell.

Crawford County Senior Citizens received a $5,000 Operation Round Up grant to make improvements to the senior citizen center. Renovations include removing the carpet and replacing it with new flooring, as well as prepping the walls and ceiling for new paint. Operation Round Up Trustee Susie Brown presents the grant to Betty and Larry Eastridge.

Dubois REC will accept applications for the next cycle of Operation Round Up® grants Nov. 1-29. Grant applications must be submitted before 4 p.m. on November 29. Representatives from local civic groups, non-profits, schools or community organizations who would like to apply for an Operation Round Up grant can download the application forms from www.duboisrec.com, under the “Community” section. Applications are also available at the Dubois REC office, by calling 812.482.5454 or sending an email to Kyla Jones at kylaj@duboisrec.com.