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    Kansas Country Living Magazine
    Home » Articles » FreeState Feels the Power of Giving Back
    Co-op Community Commitment

    FreeState Feels the Power of Giving Back

    Vicki EstesBy FreeState Electric CooperativeDecember 4, 20206 Mins Read
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    The Operation Round-Up® program has been providing funding since 2017 through members rounding up their monthly bill. That spare change has made a significant impact to area communities.

    At publication (minus December 2020 grants) the charitable giving program has donated $245,192 in spare change to local organizations. The FreeState Community Foundation facilitates the program with the help of a volunteer member committee that reviews and awards grant funds quarterly. The volunteer committee members are:

    • Brad Parker, Silver Lake
    • Melinda Harwood, McLouth
    • Morgan Starcher (Murrfield Farms), McLouth
    • Deron Johnson, Silver Lake
    • Carol Marple, Wakarusa

    The committee allocations are all made possible by the generosity of members participating in the program. No matter how great or small the act, every time we give back, we strengthen our community. It only takes a few coins a month to add up to a significant change for our local communities and volunteer-driven organizations across the FreeState service territory.

    For more information on how to apply for funding, visit www.freestate.coop/ORU. Applications can be completed online. APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE: MARCH 1, JUNE 1, SEPTEMBER 1 AND DECEMBER 1 of each calendar year. Please notify our billing department if you’d like to opt out (or in) to Operation Round-Up® by calling 800-794-1989.

    This update includes funding provided through Dec. 1. A complete listing of grants will be published in the 2020 annual report, available each April. A complete list is also available online. The following organizations and their specific projects were funded in 2020.

    Brothers in Blue Reentry — $5,000

    Funding provided for direct assistance specifically toward the COVID-19 Alumni Emergency Response Fund facilitated by Brothers in Blue. The project provides emergency funding for program participants who have been furloughed from jobs and do not have sufficient work history to collect unemployment benefits, and those who have been recently released and are unable to obtain employment. The project is directly related to the overall mission of transformational hope and helping promote success beyond time served and building a solid support system to transition to life outside incarceration.

    Capper Foundation — $4,300

    The foundation purchased a specialized adapted activity chair used during feeding therapy for children who need more support to eat safely. The chair will be used to assist in customizing supports to position children into the correct posture and alignment needed to safely swallow food. The design of the chair also allows staff to properly assist in a variety of ways as children develop feeding skills. The chair will also assist in training parents on the importance of proper positioning and safe feeding practices.

    Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (CCNEK) — $5,000

    CCNEK provides a stabilization service program that aids with housing and utilities to prevent eviction and disconnection of utilities and assist with restoration of utility services. The organization has set up a specific program for Leavenworth County that saw an 8% increase in individuals assisted in one year.

    It should be noted that CCNEK assisted FreeState Electric Cooperative members directly through the COVID Assistance Program (CAP). The committee allocated $9,300 toward a partnership that assisted FreeState members with bill relief during the global pandemic. Qualifying members were assisted with up to $400 to alleviate the stress of paying an electric bill while being directly impacted by contracting the coronavirus or losing a job or income due to the statewide shutdown. CAP assisted 24 families during a time of great uncertainty.

    City of Auburn — $2,500

    The City of Auburn was granted funds to add a park bench, garden swing and trash can to the city’s newly renovated park.

    Delia PRIDE — $2,000

    The Delia Community PRIDE funding will go toward temporary repair to a large section of flat roof on the former Delia Grade School that now serves as a community center. This facility is essential for a community that has no Main Street businesses, no school and no post office.

    Doorstep Inc. — $2,500

    The Topeka-based organization provides direct assistance to those in need. Funding provided will go toward rent and utilities specifically in rural areas to keep utilities connected. In addition, funding can be utilized to assist with portions of rent to keep those in need housed.

    Jayhawk Area Council Boy Scouts — $2,500

    The Boy Scout organization was granted funding to replace the commercial dishwasher at their council camp near Perry.

    Lecompton Fire — $5,500

    Funding was granted to the Lecompton Fire Department to obtain thermal imaging cameras (TIC). The cameras are considered essential equipment for fire departments. A TIC detects infrared radiation as visible light, allowing firefighters to see through smoke, darkness or heat-permeable barriers. The department was able to purchase one camera to add to their resources and will continue to provide services related to public safety.

    McLouth Public Library — $3,500

    The library sought funding to repair and replace items used by patrons at the library. The library provided a list of items to replace, and some items to repair.

    Perry UMC — $1,000

    The Blessing Box project provided food or personal items around the clock for the area around Perry, specifically serving the USD 343 area.

    Shawnee Fire District No. 2 in Auburn — $7,500

    The department was granted funding to outfit one brush truck with a system used specifically to fight wildfires. The funding also allowed the department to meet the obligations set forth in the development of the Wildland Task Force, which made department trucks deployable anywhere in the state at any time to support wildland fire fighting operations.

    Suicide HQ — $4,000

    Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters sought funding to train volunteer counselors through the organization’s 10-week training program. The training program is a rigorous, 100-hour program that includes online training, homework, and observation shifts. To accommodate more callers as the need has increased significantly, the organization has doubled the number of training classes from three to six and runs two classes of counselors concurrently three times a year.

    Valencia Fire (SNCO No. 4) — $5,000

    The department requested funding to purchase a water rescue boat that will assist in local emergencies and provide mutual aid to neighboring counties.

    donation operation round up
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