Darke members give $12,900 to area causes through Operation Roundup

Members of Darke Rural Electric Cooperative recently donated $12,900 to local charities and community projects, and individuals through the Operation Roundup program. Total contributions exceed $158,594.

Recipients of funds are as follows:
Hope in Recovery — $1,400
Greenville Union Cemetery — $1,000
Osgood Little League — $1,100
Boy Scouts w/disabilities #237 — $1,600
Ansonia Local Schools — $1,100
Union City Fire and Rescue — $2,500
Brown Memorial Library — $950
St. Mary’s School — $950
Ansonia Fire Department — $1,300
Boy Scout Troop #280 — $1,000

The Operation Roundup is a voluntary charitable program. Participating members’ monthly electric bills are rounded up to the next dollar, with the additional pennies put into the “Trust” fund.

A board of trustees, made up of Darke Rural Electric Cooperative members, oversees the Operation Roundup process. Those serving as trustees are: Susan Schepis, chairman; Joan Buschur, vice chairman; Jim Faller, treasurer; Susan Smearsoll, secretary; Jane Braund, Charles Hoover and Ronnie Neanen. They volunteer their time and meet twice a year to review applications and decide if an application should be funded. The decision can be very difficult when the request exceeds the available monies. The goal is to disperse funds to best serve the communities of the cooperative members.

Organizations or individuals can contact Beth Davenport at Darke REC (937-548-4114 or 1-800-776-5612) to receive an application.