People Fund
Give a little, help a lot. Neighbors helping neighbors with spare change.
Your spare change goes a long way when you share it through the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Operation RoundUp program. By voluntarily rounding up the member-owner's electric bill payment to the
next dollar each month, Lorain-Medina's 14,300 consumers makes a big difference with small change in our local area.
These pennies, nickels and dimes help raise thousands of dollars every year. And these dollars are used to help our neighbors in the same communities served by Lorain-Medina Rural Electric. Health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects benefiting students in our local schools, child care programs and individuals with special needs are just some of the organizations already aided with Operation RoundUp donations.
The LMRE People Fund was established in January 1999. In just over four years, 6105 grants totaling more than $250,000 have been issued throughout the Co-op's service territory.
Every penny donated by Lorain-Medina Rural Electric members is put to good use in community projects. A small administrative cost to run Operation RoundUp is absorbed by Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative.
Electric cooperatives across the nation are adopting the Operation RoundUp program because it gives their members a simple way to help their communities. Nearly half of Ohio's electric cooperatives have a similar program. Across the nation, more than 100 electric cooperatives are involved in Operation RoundUp. At Lorain-Medina, it's called the "Power of Human Connections."
What happens when You participate in Operation RoundUp?
A typical member's monthly bill comes to $86.46. We round it up to $87. The extra 54 cents goes directly to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric People Fund, a trust fund set up to handle Operation RoundUp contributions. Statistics from the 100 electric cooperatives administering a RoundUp program, show the average roundup for each member is just 50 cents a month - about the cost of one daily newspaper or a cup of coffee. Each month, the member's bill shows an amount listed for Operation RoundUp.
What if I don't want to contribute?
Approximately 85 percent of LMRE's eligible consumers are participating in the program. If for any reason members choose not to participate, it's simple to let us know. You may opt out of or into the program at any time simply by calling us at (800) 222-5673 or (440) 647-2133 or enclose a note with your monthly bill payment.
How do I know how much of my bill is going to Operation RoundUp?
Your electric bill is printed with the usual information about your kWh use with one extra line that lists Operation RoundUp and the amount that rounds up your bill to the next dollar.
What happens to the Operation Round Up funds?
Every cent is deposited in the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric People Fund, Inc., a special trust fund, which is used only for helping people or groups with specific needs. These contributions can be considered tax deductible, charitable donations.
Who controls how this money is spent?
A separate board of trustees has been named from throughout the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative service area. This board reviews and approves applications for assistance, based on demonstrated need and funds available. Political issues or campaigns are not eligible for grants from the People Fund.
Members of the LMRE People Fund Board are appointed to three-year terms by the Cooperative's Board Trustees. Their terms coincide with the three-year terms of the Co-op's Board of Trustees. Members of the People Fund Board of Trustees and the areas they serve are listed below:
District 1 - John Dowdell-- Brighton, Clarksfield, New London, Rochester, Ruggles, Wakeman.
District 2 -- Mike Moorman -- Camden, Florence, Henrietta, New Russia, Pittsfield
District 3 -- Tina Salyer -- Carlisle, Columbia, Eaton.
District 4 -- Sheila Holmes -- Huntington, Penfield, Wellington.
District 5 -- Karen Czellath -- LaGrange Township.
District 6 -- Thomas Bieniosek -- Grafton, Litchfield, Liverpool, York.
District 7 -- Ardith Jordan -- Clear Creek, Jackson, Orange, Sullivan, Troy.
District 8 -- Wilbert Geiss -- Spencer, Homer, Congress, Canaan & Burbank Village.
District 9 -- Kathy Newman -- Chatham, Harrisville, Lafayette Westfield.
Members are informed about projects chosen for funding by the People Fund through Country Living magazine, articles in local newspapers and on our website.
What kind of projects is our money spent on?
The fire departments in Grafton and Litchfield townships received funds for radios equipped to communicate with other fire departments on mutual aid calls. All Lorain County fire departments are able to teach fire safety utilizing the Hot House safety demonstration table that was purchased with a $3,800 grant for the North Central Firefighters Association. The Medina County Chapter of the American Red Cross received a $2,500 grant to conduct fire prevention seminars and smoke alarm giveaways.
The People Fund partnered with the Black River, Buckeye, Cloverleaf, Firelands, Keystone and Midview Schools on various community supported projects. A $3,500 People Fund grant allowed the Pittsfield Township Trustees to make its facilities at the township hall handicap accessible.
The People Fund has also assisted members in need. A Litchfield family received a a $3,000 check from the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric People Fund to help purchase a used, wheelchair-equipped van for ease of transporting her 5-year-old daughter, who is afflicted with Rett's Syndrome. The Co-op has also assisted widows who needed help in paying
funeral expenses for their husbands, who died suddenly.
The People Fund Board sets guidelines for evaluating applications. This project is successful because every penny is spent on enhancing the quality of life for residents of our local area, and the Co-op has agreed to pay any necessary administrative costs (such as copying and postage) as Lorain-Medina Rural Electric's own contribution.
How much money is raised from Operation RoundUp?
Based on an average contribution of 48 cents per month from each of Lorain-Medina's 13,000 meters, approximately $5,600 a month is contributed. We hope every member will participate, because the more people participating, the more we're able to help.
How can you apply? When will grants be disbursed?
The People Fund Board of Trustees meets quarterly, in January, April, July and October. The deadline for grant applications is the end of the preceding months -- March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
For more information, contact the Cooperative's Member Services Representative Karen Farago at 1-800-222-5673 or 1-440-647-2133 or email her at lmrememberservices@fesco-oh.org.
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