South River’s members round up to help communities

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Women and families escaping human trafficking, substance use, homelessness, domestic violence or any crisis situation can turn to Cry Freedom Ministries. This organization has received an Operation Round Up grant to aid the safe housing program. Pictured: Paula Parker, Beverly Weeks and Jan Jernigan

Women and families escaping human trafficking, substance use, homelessness, domestic violence or any crisis situation can turn to Cry Freedom Ministries. This organization has received an Operation Round Up grant to aid the safe housing program. Pictured: Paula Parker, Beverly Weeks and Jan Jernigan

The media center at Salemburg Elementary School will become a more robust place for collaborative learning, research, technology integration, creativity and reading with the assistance of a grant through Operation Round Up. Pictured: Principal Whitney Poper and Media Coordinator Stormi Moore.

The media center at Salemburg Elementary School will become a more robust place for collaborative learning, research, technology integration, creativity and reading with the assistance of a grant through Operation Round Up. Pictured: Principal Whitney Poper and Media Coordinator Stormi Moore.

Suttontown EMS’s new quick response vehicle will be easier to spot when racing to help the community thanks to new warning lights purchased with a grant through Operation Round Up. Pictured: Chase Jackson, Thomas Jackson and Chief Bradley Jackson

Suttontown EMS’s new quick response vehicle will be easier to spot when racing to help the community thanks to new warning lights purchased with a grant through Operation Round Up. Pictured: Chase Jackson, Thomas Jackson and Chief Bradley Jackson

Residents of Sampson County in need of diapers and wipes for their infants can get emergency supplies from LifeLine of Sampson County with the help of a grant through Operation Round Up. Pictured: Executive Director Brandi Elkin.

Residents of Sampson County in need of diapers and wipes for their infants can get emergency supplies from LifeLine of Sampson County with the help of a grant through Operation Round Up. Pictured: Executive Director Brandi Elkin.

South River EMC’s non-profit organization, the Community Assistance Corporation, recently awarded, this funding cycle, $58,375 in grants to local non-profit organizations and educational programs through Operation Round Up.

The following non-profit organizations received grants for $5,000: Five N Two Food Pantry; Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas; Dunn Urban Ministries Assoc.; Transitions Life Care; Cry Freedom Missions; Fayetteville Operation Inasmuch; and Salvation Army of the Sandhills.

Also receiving grants were LifeLine of Sampson County, $3,500; Triangle South Literacy Works, $2,500; Salem Methodist After School Hours, $2,500; and Suttontown EMS Inc., $4,925.

The following educational institutions also received grants: Gallberry Farm Elementary School, $4,950; and Salemburg Elementary School, $5,000. “Operation Round Up is a powerful example of what makes the cooperative model so meaningful,” said VP of Member Services and PR Catherine O’Dell. “By rounding up their monthly electric bills, our members are making a direct and lasting impact on families, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout our service area. We are grateful for their generosity and proud to see these small contributions create meaningful change in our local communities.”

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program that enables members of South River EMC to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar. For example, if a bill is $209.63, the bill rounds up to $210 and the extra 37¢ is deposited into the Community Assistance Corporation fund.

The amount donated through Operation Round Up every month amounts to no more than $6 a year, that small change added to others’ contributions makes big changes in the community.

South River EMC accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis. The next deadline for applications is August 14 by 5 p.m. Applications, including guidelines, can be found online at sremc.com. Please note, handwritten applications are not accepted, and an online application is required.