Pictured in the front row from left are: Staci Helwig, Osakis Women’s Association; Sandra Dunn, TAIL-Wind Direction; and Brooklyn Mitteness, Skylar Wagner and Kevin Wagner Lakes Area Alpine Ski Team. In the middle row from left are: Jan Arneson, Pope County Families in Need; Jean Johnson, Honor Quilts of West Central MN; Doug Garin, Experimental Aircraft Association; Aaron Feltman, Love, INC; Sara Robbinson, MN Lakes Maritime Society; Jolene Schriener, Jingle Bells; Vivian Bentley, Lands Cemetery Association; and Stan Smith, Hoffman Senior Citizens.  In the back row from left are: David Arneson, Pope County Families in Need; Todd Roth, Toys for Kids – Marine Corp League; Kris Chisholm, Car Care Program; Dean Blade, Rose Hill -Trinity Cemetery Association, and Jeff Gaffaney, Operation Round Up Trust Board Member.

Through the contributions of Runestone Electric Association’s participating members, the Operation Round Up® Trust Board recently approved $17,100 to assist local community programs during its quarterly meeting.

REA’s Operation Round Up Trust Board, a voluntary board of seven REA members, reviewed and considered 27 grant applications and distributed funds to 25 projects and programs. Community-based projects and programs have received over $1.3 million since the program’s inception in 2003. On average, participating REA members will contribute $6.06 for the year 2024. Proof that small change adds up. Best of all, 94% of all funds collected are distributed as grants.

Food Shelf: Outreach Food Shelf – Emergency food supplies ($2,000). 

Youth: Experimental Aircraft Association – Young Eagle Flights ($500); Vikingland Junior Shooting Sports – Equipment Funding (500); Osakis After Prom (200); Osakis Trap Club – Uniforms ($250); Lakes Area Alpine Ski Team – Youth Ski Team Equipment ($400); Toys for Kids Marine Corps League – Toys ($1,000); Hancock Post Prom ($200); Alexandria Youth Football – Youth Football Night ($400); and Long Prairie-Grey Eagle FFA – Vending Machine Repair ($500). 

Community: Douglas County Car Care Program – Car Care Elective Course & Car Repair ($2,000); Minnesota Lakes Maritime Society – Parade of Trees Community Celebration ($500); True Friends – Outdoor Enrichment for People with Disabilities ($500); Rose Hill Trinity Cemetery Association – Cemetery Maintenance ($300); Evansville Community Club – Santa Days ($250); Jingle Bells Foundation – Jingle Bells Alexandria ($1,000); Osakis Women’s Association – Season of Giving ($600); Lands Cemetery Association– cemetery maintenance ($300); Love Inc, DCLA – Fuel & Grocery Cards  ($1,000); Wendell Santa Day – Toys for kids ($250); Pope County Families in Need – Support for families in need ($1,450); TAIL-Wind Direction – Greenhouse/Hoop House ($500); and Honor Quilts of West Central Minnesota – Supplies ($1,000).

Seniors: Hoffman Senior Citizens – Automatic door openers ($1,000) and Central MN Elder Network – Saturday activities ($500).

The deadline to apply for the next round of funding is February 7, 2025. Apply at www.RunestoneElectric.com.  

Runestone Electric Association serves over 15,000 accounts in rural areas of Douglas, Pope, Grant, Stevens, Ottertail, Stearns, and Todd Counties.