Operation Round Up is a significant way LREC members can come together to make a difference in our community. Extra change generated from rounding up the monthly bills of participating members is used to fund requests by local charitable organizations. These small amounts — between $0.01 to $0.99 — all add up to make a big impact. Members can also elect to donate a fixed amount each month.

For example: if your bill is $72.36, it is rounded up to $73.00 and the extra 64¢ goes to the Operation Round Up Trust Fund. Multiply all that extra change by the thousands of generous LREC members who participate, and it makes a BIG difference in our local communities. This unique program has provided funds for purchasing various items for local fire departments, groups serving youth, medical equipment for those in need, donations to food shelves and many other worthwhile causes. 

Operation Round Up—small change that changes lives.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

To be a part of this voluntary program, sign up online, check the box on your billing statement, or email billing@lrec.coop 

Our SmartHub users can sign up by just logging into their SmartHub account.

  1. Log into SmartHub and visit the Billing & Payments tab, then select Operation Round Up.
  2. Click Enroll and accept the Terms and Conditions.
  3. Choose an Enrollment Option and click Confirm. You have the option to unenroll anytime.

Members who aren’t signed up with SmartHub can sign up at Operation Round Up Participation Agreement.

HOW TO GET FUNDING

If you have a community project that needs funding, complete the online Operation Round Up Request for Funding form and submit it with supporting documentation for consideration.


Contribution Guidelines
Contributions will be distributed primarily in the local area served by Lake Region Electric Cooperative. Donations will be limited to non-profit, charitable organizations. Non-profit organizations that have been granted IRS Code 501(c)(3) status and serve a large number of people will be given priority.

Upcoming deadlines are listed below.

Application Deadlines

Applications for ORU funding are received three times a year. Final 2025 deadline:

  • September 15, 2025

Meeting Dates

The Operation Round Up Board of Directors meet quarterly. Final 2025 meeting date:

  • October 6, 2025

RECENT GRANT RECIPIENTS

Funds were granted to 110 local organizations throughout Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s service area from the Operation Round Up Program. A total of $29,750 was awarded by the Operation Round Up Board of Trustees at the April 7, 2025 meeting. Organizations receiving funds were:

  • $500 to Fergus Falls Police Department
  • $500 to Lakes Area Community Square Dance Association
  • $500 to North Central Camp Cherith
  • $500 to Our Savior’s Ten Mile Lake Quilters
  • $500 to Quilts of Valor
  • $750 to Save the Trinity
  • $1,000 to Battle Lake Youth Center, Inc.
  • $1,000 to Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee
  • $1,500 to Henning Landmark Center
  • $1,500 to Minnesota Deer Hunters Association in Fergus Falls
  • $2,000 to Dunvilla Shooting Club, Inc.
  • $2,000 to Otter Cove Children’s Museum
  • $5,000 to Car Care Program
  • $5,000 to North Country Food Bank, Inc.
  • $7,500 to WCI/Parkers Prairie Community Fund

The total amount awarded since 2007 is $860,990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Operation Round Up is a voluntary charitable fundraising program through Lake Region Electric Cooperative. The trust fund is overseen by a volunteer, nine-member board of trustees, who are selected to serve by LREC’s board of directors. Current ORU Trustee Board Members are:

District 1: Karen Hart
District 2: Polly Reitan
District 3: Nick Murdock
District 4: Denise Laymon
District 5: Patty Johnson (Chair)
District 6: Brian Mancini
District 7: Harold Stanislawski
District 8: Duane Hanson
District 9: Ruth Vetter

Left to right: Patty Johnson, Nick Murdock, Ruth Vetter, Duane Hanson, Karen Hart, Denise Laymon, and Polly Reitan. Not pictured: Brian Mancini and Harold Stanislawski.

PREVIOUS GRANT RECIPIENTS