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. 

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 Upsmall 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.

Applications for funding will be accepted until March 15, 2024.

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. Upcoming dates are:

  • March 15, 2024
  • June 15, 2024
  • September 15, 2024

Meeting Dates

The Operation Round Up Board of Directors meet quarterly. Upcoming meeting dates are:

  • April 8, 2024
  • July 8, 2024
  • October 14, 2024

RECENT GRANT RECIPIENTS

Funds were granted to 112 local organizations throughout Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s service area from the Operation Round Up Program. A total of $57,180 was awarded by the Operation Round Up Board of Trustees at the January 8, 2024 meeting. Organizations receiving funds were:

  • $17,700 between 23 schools for scholarships
  • $15,600 between 26 fire departments for department expenses
  • $6,720 between 14 food pantries for the March food drive
  • $5,520 between 23 cities for community festivals
  • $3,120 between five county extension offices for 4-H programs
  • $3,120 between 13 schools for post prom party expenses
  • $3,000 to the Barnesville Area Community Fund
  • $2,400 between five county fair associations for fair expenses

The total amount awarded since 2007 is $683,550.

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: Kristie Partain 
District 7: Harold Stanislowski
District 8: Don Davenport
District 9: Ruth Vetter

Front row left to right: Ruth Vetter, Karen Hart, Patty Johnson, Kristie Partain and Denise Laymon. Back row left to right: Nick Murdock, Tex Larson and Don Davenport. Not pictured: Polly Reitan.

PREVIOUS GRANT RECIPIENTS