The Federated Rural Electric Trust, Jackson, recognized local organizations receiving $32,228 through Operation Round Up. These donations occur due to monthly contributions by participating Federated members. The Trust Board set aside funding for nine $700 high school scholarships for Federated members in 2023. Plus, 31 groups received money in this 56th round of funding:

 

Organization                                        Amount   Purpose 

HL-O Elementary Phy. Ed. classes              $200     Toward roller skate rental costs in PE classes

HL-O Elementary Occupational Therapy     $238     Buy crash pad & body stretching bag for motor skills control

JCC Agriculture Department                        $382     Ceramic knife sets and oven mitts/pot holders in food’s kitchens

City of Jackson Park Board                          $400     Replace two older, worn-out dog waste receptacles on trails

Fairmont Girls Basketball Assn.                   $500     Toward six basketballs for 4th to 8th graders teams

HL-O H.S. Agriculture Department              $500     For two activity tables in classroom for hands-on activities

JCC Riverside Elem. Special Education      $500     Four sets of books special education students

Family Services Network, Jackson              $500     Buy snowpants for area youth

Reinbows, Inc, Windom                                $500     Buy 3 drills, chargers & cases to teach carpentry skills

JCC’s Lakefield tennis courts                       $554     Replaced two old nets for PE classes & community use

Jackson Co. Sheriff Office                           $579     Buy CPR mannequins, jail AED defibrillator & replaceable pads

Jackson Co. Sheriff Office                           $550     Buy body opponent bag for defensive tactics training for jailers

Lakefield Fire Rescue                                   $600     Toward grain bin rescue auger

Dunnell Lake Fremont Fire Department       $600     Toward grain bin rescue auger & battery-powered drill

JCC First Grade                                            $605     Set of decodable text books to become better readers

GHEC Elementary                                        $683     Mindful moment classroom supplies & materials for anxiety relief

JCC Riverside Elementary                           $700     Sensory room supplies to help cope with emotions & behaviors

BIO Girls, Jackson-Lakefield                       $888     Four scholarships for mentoring program, guides & supplies

Caregiver Response Effort & Service          $900     Handbooks for volunteer training, regional training & brochures

Team, Fairmont

JCC Agriculture Department                     $1,000     3 battery operated jib saws, drill bits, safety glasses & ear plugs

East Chain Activity Center                        $1,000     Upgrade to LED bulbs in the big gym

HL-O School pool                                      $1,000     Toward log roller for fun in the pool & replace pool stairs

HL-O Robotics Teams                               $1,000     Toward robotic parts, batteries and motors for two teams

Alpha Fire Department                              $1,000     Toward cordless headset for pump operator to radio traffic at fire

Lakefield Ambulance Service                    $1,250     Buy three new pagers (2 for new members; replace 1 old one)

HL-O High School Industrial Tech            $1,500     Toward a new band saw

Sherburn Fire Department                        $1,500     Buy two hand-held thermal imaging cameras to find fire victims

Jackson Ambulance Service                     $1,500     Toward new hand-held radio replacing broken one

Round Lake Fire Department                    $1,500     Two wetsuits for ice water rescue & inflatable flotation device

Business, Arts & Recreation Ctr, Windom $1,500     Toward keyless entry door lock system for safety & security

Jackson County Library system                $1,799     Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for Lakefield Library

9 $700 scholarships                                   $6,300     For Federated members with graduating high school seniors.

 

The Trust Board received 46 applications totaling $73,832 in this 56th round of funding. The Trust Board will meet again in the spring to determine the next round of funding. The deadline for submitting applications is February 10.

About 76 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, nearly $868,000 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 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.