Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative’s charitable-giving program, Operation Round Up, will support 14 area nonprofits and community-based efforts with the latest set of grants.
A selection committee, composed of co-op members and one employee, awarded $27,500 overall to the recipients, as described below. Funding for grants builds as co-op members voluntarily round up their electric bills each month, supplemented by a corporate contribution from SVEC’s board.
The next set of grants will be awarded in October. Visit svec.coop/ORU for more information.
AUGUSTA COUNTY
Mental Health of America: to bolster its I.C. Hope program, which reaches youth in the area to support them in their mental health journey and identify coping skills.
Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta: for critical home repairs to make a client’s home safe, warm, dry and accessible.
Valley Career and Technical Center: to purchase an ultrasound machine for livestock; specifically, for sheep, cattle and goats.
FREDERICK COUNTY/WINCHESTER
Council on Alcoholism, Lord Fairfax Community: financial aid for one person to receive 90 days of services as they recover from addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Family Promise of Northern Shenandoah Valley: to provide transportation assistance to families in its mission to end the cycle of homelessness.
Girls on the Run: to register 15 girls into its program, which inspires them to be joyful, healthy and confident using fun, experience-based curricula that creatively integrates running.
Wheels for Wellness: to provide free, door-to-door transportation to medical appointments and treatment for those in the region with no other means of transportation.
HIGHLAND COUNTY
Highland County Humane Society: to assist local residents with veterinary care at local veterinary practices, and provide dog and cat food for its pet food pantry program.
Highland Children’s House: to support working families by providing quality, licensed, year-round, five-day-a-week educational childcare for the Highland County area.
PAGE COUNTY
Page One: for financial assistance for emergency utility, rental or mortgage payments to avoid homelessness, funds for winter fuel and wood, and gas cards for individuals going through cancer or dialysis treatments.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Blue Ridge Free Clinic: for translation services to its growing number of patients who are non-native English speakers.
People Helping People: financial assistance for clients to avoid disconnection of basic utilities such as electric, water and heating oils.
SHENANDOAH COUNTY
Family Promise of Shenandoah County: to assist up to 12 local families with minor children in paying for utility assistance, to avoid electric service disconnection and then eviction that could result in homelessness.
Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter: to aid 12 households per year with about $200 per month in housing stability assistance.
–Report by Preston Knight, Communication Manager, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative.