Sampson Crisis Center's Lorie Faircloth, assistant director and financial secretary, right, and Rochelle Stuart, executive director, accept the South River check. (Courtesy photo)

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Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation representatives, from left: Sampson Regional Medical Center CEO David Masterson; Ann Cortes, lab director; Susan LaFevers, point of care coordinator; and Amber Cava, director of marketing and community relations, accept the South River funding. Not pictured is Foundation executive director Brenda Warren.(Courtesy photo)

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Suttontown EMS representatives, from left: Bradley Jackson, Thomas Jackson and Captain Anthony Troublefield accept their South River check. (Courtesy photo)

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Newton Grove deputy fire chief Cliff Brown accepts his department's South River donation through Operation Roundup.

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DUNN — South River Electric Membership Corporation’s foundation, the Community Assistance Corporation, recently awarded $56,558.77 in grants through the Operation Round Up program.

In the September funding cycle, the foundation awarded $5,000 grants to the following organizations: Sampson Regional Medical Center; Coats Museum; Sampson Crisis Center, Inc.; Harnett County Partnership for Children and SAFE of Harnett County Inc. The Clement Volunteer Fire Department Inc. received a grant for $4,861.58, and Suttontown EMS received a grant for $5,5052. Lastly, Newton Grove Fire and Rescue Inc. received a grant for $6,645.19.

South River EMC’s Bright Ideas Grant program was the recipient of a $15,000 Operation Round Up educational grant.

“I continue to be amazed at how a few cents contributed by so many can add up to so much money that has such a profound impact in our communities,” said Catherine O’Dell, vice president of member services and public relations, South River EMC.

South River EMC members continue to help in any way they can, even in these tough economic times. Since the inception of the Operation Round Up program, over $780,000 has been donated to local community agencies and schools.

South River EMC members participate in Operation Round Up by agreeing to have their bill rounded up to the next dollar each month. If their bill is $98.47, the 53¢ remaining will be put into an account managed by the Community Assistance Corporation.

Quarterly, funds are distributed to local service agencies, educational pursuits or to aid families who are experiencing unusually grave times. The next funding opportunity will be in December, applications are due to the Cooperative by November 16.

South River EMC is a locally-owned and operated electric cooperative, which provides electric service to 42,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties.