(Jackson, MN) — The Federated Rural Electric Trust, Jackson, recognized local organizations receiving $35,437 through Operation Round Up. These donations occur due to monthly contributions by participating Federated members. 29 groups received money in this 53rd round of funding:
| Organization | Amount | Purpose |
| LaCrosse 4-H Club, Heron Lake | $250 | Matching funds for HLO students’ “Caring Connection Shop” for school supplies, personal items, food, gently-used clothes |
| Martin County Historical Society, Fairmont | $400 | Replace two mannequins to display historical clothing |
| JCC Middle School, Lakefield | $400 | Buy “Sit & Knit” supplies for 25 students in grades 4-8 |
| Jackson County Central Post Prom | $500 | Hire Post Prom comedian to provide safe, fun prom |
| Jackson Boy Scout Pack 80 | $500 | Assist scouts who can’t afford to participate in Pine Wood Derby, Penguin day & new class B shirts |
| HLO FFA, Okabena | $520 | Small animal vet scales, stethoscopes, horticulture hydroponic equipment, watering hose & wand |
| Heritage Acres, Fairmont | $600 | Hire blacksmith for August threshing and October harvest events |
| Jackson Volunteer Ambulance | $600 | Toward battery-powered stair chair to transport patients up/down steps to keep responders & patient safe |
| Okabena Fire Department | $620 | Two backpack pumps to fight grass fires & leak control kit for damaged tanks for farm fuel barrels |
| Minnesota West, Jackson | $700 | Scholarship for Jackson or Martin County lineman or electrician student |
| Martin County 4-H | $800 | Funds toward Adopt-A-Lamb program to increase participation for those who cannot afford it |
| Jackson County Fair | $800 | Buy paint & supplies for the inside of the 4-H/FFA building |
| Lakefield Ambulance Service | $850 | Buy 10 new oxygen tanks for the two ambulances |
| Jackson County Library | $900 | Hire Zooman for the summer reading program in 3 towns |
| Northrop Volunteer Fire Dept. | $1,000 | Toward new firefighter boots for whole department |
| SWWC Foundation for Innovation in Education, Marshall | $1,000 | Registration scholarships for needy students at events ranging from spelling bee, writing contests, knowledge bowl, etc… |
| Reinbows Inc., Windom | $1,100 | 3 iPads & covers for kids to do virtual & in-person reading/math |
| Alpha Fire Department | $1,200 | Buy water softener to extend life of washer extractor & turnout gear |
| Prairie Ecology Bus, Lakefield | $1,200 | Toward free transportation scholarships for summer camps for children who could not otherwise afford attending |
| Warm Up Windom | $1,250 | Project where blankets were made & given to every student |
| Business Arts Recreation Ctr, Windom | $1,500 | Buy & install 2 new thermostats to improve energy-efficiency |
| MCW Community Education, Sherburn | $1,552 | Buy catcher/umpire gear, batting helmets w/face masks & bats |
| Jackson County Historical Society | $1,745 | Toward new shelving in new storage area additiontake Jon some rebates, mail, shirts and gensets to call on. |
| Jackson Park Board | $2,000 | Timber interlocking borders for play structure containment area making ADA compliant Zimmerli Park |
| HLO High School, Okabena | $2,000 | Toward a CNC wood router for industrial tech program |
| Trimont Fire Relief | $2,500 | Toward self-contained breathing apparatus & turnout gear |
| Fairmont High School Robotics | $2,500 | 3D printer, laptop, 2 electric drills, plate shear & hand tools |
| Round Lake Fire Department | $3,000 | Buy new turnout gear replacing the 20-year old gear |
| JCC H.S. Media Center, Jackson | $3,450 | Buy 50 tablets & pens for teachers/paraprofessionals to assist students with virtual/hybrid/in-person learning |
| TOTAL | $35,437 |
The Trust Board received 29 applications totaling $40,947 in this 53rd round of funding. The Trust Board will meet again in the fall to determine the next round of funding. The deadline for submitting applications is September 17.
About 78 percent of Federated Rural Electric members participate in Operation Round Up. They allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. For example, a bill of $55.75 is rounded up to $56. The extra cents go to a special trust fund, which is administered by an independent trust board that consists of seven Federated members. Since the first round of funding in 1995, more than $810,000 has been awarded to local organizations and as high school scholarships.
“Operation Round Up is a way for members to help members,” said Stuart Smart, Federated’s Trust Board Chairman. “Just a few cents a month, when added with other members’ cents, can really add up and do some good in our communities. On the average, a member’s Round Up contributions amount to approximately $6 a year, which is tax-deductible.”
The Trust Board’s policy outlines project categories eligible for funding:
• community service (emphasis on public safety, health care and enhancement of cultural environment),
• community leadership programs,
• education and youth projects (social problems and wellness/athletics),
• environmental projects (recycling, environmental education and environmental ag research),
• emergency energy assistance funds to organizations for distribution and
• disaster relief.
Interested organizations may go to www.federatedrea.coop to download the application form and information, e-mail info@federatedrea.coop for an application or call 507-847-3520; ask for Andrea.
Federated is a Touchstone Energy cooperative serving 6,800 members in Jackson and Martin Counties.
Contact: Andrea Christoffer, Marketing & Communications Manager
507-847-3520 or christoffer@federatedrea.coop
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