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$406,389.54 given back to communities
03/10/2010 Operation Round Up exists because of the generosity of Cotton Electric’s members.
Every month, over 12,300 members of cooperative kick in a little extra change, rounding up their monthly power bill to the nearest dollar. Contributions ranging from one cent to 99 cents are pooled and provide the funds for the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation.
Grants totaling $7,895 will be distributed to four of the applicants, and funds are earmarked for two more. A total of $406,389.54 has been distributed since the charitable foundation’s inception in 2004.
| CECF contributions breakdown |
| Volunteer Fire departments |
$138,939.00 |
| Youth |
$57,528.11 |
| Community |
$52,068.55 |
| Services |
$49,406.60 |
| Public Safety |
$30,699.00 |
| Individuals |
$29,250.00 |
| Schools |
$24,604.28 |
| Seniors |
$14,499.00 |
| Total |
$396,994.54 |
“The goal of CECF is to improve the lives of our members and we feel these contributions have made a difference,” said Warren Langford, Cotton Electric Cooperative’s CEO and CECF board member.
Recipients of CECF funds this fiscal year include:
| March 2010 |
| Central High Food Pantry |
Food packing tables |
$ 1,000.00 |
| Great Plains Improvement Foundation |
C. Carter Crane Shelter repairs |
$ 2,500.00 |
| Jefferson County Hospital |
A/C unit replacements |
$ 2,200.00 |
| Velma Ambulance Service |
Blood pressure monitoring equipment |
$ 2,195.00 |
| Armed Services YMCA |
Security system |
Pending |
| Cotton County Sheriff’s Department |
Vehicle purchase assistance |
Pending |
| Total |
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$ 7,895.00 |
|
| December 2009 |
| Bray Senior Citizens Community Food Pantry |
Trailer for food transportation |
$ 1,000.00 |
| Chattanooga Schools |
Instruments |
$ 1,000.00 |
| Christian Helping Hands |
Food closet |
$ 1,000.00 |
| Empire Public Schools |
Athletic facility remodel |
$ 2,000.00 |
| Ryan Public Schools |
Library furnishings |
$ 1,214.00 |
| Stephens County Humane Society |
Air Conditioners |
$ 250.00 |
| Stephens County Science Fair by Duncan Optimists |
Science Fair materials |
$ 1,500.00 |
| Stephens County Sheriff |
Computer & software for mobile unit |
$ 2,200.00 |
| Marlow Samaritans |
Computer software |
$ 399.00 |
| Town of Medicine Park |
Lighting project |
$ 5,000.00 |
| Waurika Fire Department |
Bunker pants for firemen |
$ 3,500.00 |
| Total |
|
$ 19,063.00 |
|
| September 2009 |
| Bray-Doyle Schools |
Christmas Baskets |
$ 700.00 |
| Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma |
Vehicle to transport cancer patients |
$ 2,000.00 |
| Duncan Regional Hospital Health Foundation |
Health Explore program |
$ 2,000.00 |
| Duncan Fire Department |
Meals for fire fighter training |
$ 2,600.00 |
| Meridian Volunteer Fire Department |
Medical communication equipment |
$ 3,500.00 |
| Prevent Blindness Oklahoma |
Vision screenings in schools |
$ 1,000.00 |
| Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth |
Recreation for transitional youth |
$ 1,500.00 |
| Sterling Public Schools |
Books |
$ 1,000.00 |
| American Red Cross |
CPR training equipment |
$ 1,500.00 |
| Cache Schools Alumni Association |
Individual assistance |
$ 2,500.00 |
| Town of Chattanooga |
Public address system for civic center |
$ 1,500.00 |
| Total |
|
$ 19,800.00 |
|
| June 2009 |
| Duncan Rescue Mission |
Stoves and building repair |
$ 3,120.00 |
| Elgin High School |
Books |
$ 1,000.00 |
| Habitat for Humanity |
Build home |
$ 2,500.00 |
| Hannah's Hearts |
Care bags |
$ 1,800.00 |
| Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma |
Pediatric unit |
$ 2,500.00 |
| Oakridge Volunteer Fire Department |
Training room |
$ 3,500.00 |
| Stephens County Health Department |
Fiesta in Fuqua |
$ 500.00 |
| Temple Volunteer Fire Department |
Outfit truck |
$ 4,000.00 |
| Velma Lions Club |
Individual assistance |
$ 2,500.00 |
| Total |
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$ 21,420.00 |
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The board of directors for the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation will meet again on December 2nd to review applications for the next quarter. Applications are due on November 20th.
Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation board members include Richard Dixon, President; Keith Hooker, Vice President; Carly Douglass, Secretary-Treasurer; Warren Langford, Chief Executive Officer of Cotton Electric, and Charles Spencer, president of the Cotton Electric Board of Trustees.
Applications to the Operation Round Up program are available at the links below or by calling Melvin Jones at (580) 255-5065.
CECF balance through February 28, 2010 |
| Previous balance as of 11/30/09 |
$51,085.92 |
| Contribution deposits and Interest |
$19,053.22 |
| Grants and expenses |
($19,130.58) |
| Balance as of 02/28/09 |
$51,008.56 |
About Operation Round Up
In 2004, Cotton Electric Cooperative began the Operation Round Up program and established the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation.
Operation Round Up is a program designed to provide financial assistance to worthwhile individuals and organizations. Under the program, voluntary contributions from participating co-op members are collected when their monthly bills are "rounded up" to the next highest dollar. For example, if a member's bill is $49.77, the bill is rounded up to $50.00. The additional 23 cents is then deposited to the Operation Round Up fund.
The average yearly contribution from each participating cooperative member is about $6. The most a customer could contribute each year is $11.88 and the least is 12 cents. Plus, contributions are tax deductible and participation is voluntary.
The funds collected by the Operation Round Up are administered by the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation and its five directors. The CECF board meets and discusses applications quarterly.
Application Instructions - PDF Document
Individual Application - PDF Document MS Word Document
Organization Application - PDF Document MS Word Document
Operation Round Up Brochure
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