Operation Round Up is a significant way LREC members can come together to make a difference in our community. Extra change generated from rounding up the monthly bills of participating members is used to fund requests by local charitable organizations. These small amounts — between $0.01 to $0.99 — all add up to make a big impact. Members can also elect to donate a fixed amount each month.
For example: if your bill is $72.36, it is rounded up to $73.00 and the extra 64¢ goes to the Operation Round Up Trust Fund. Multiply all that extra change by the thousands of generous LREC members who participate, and it makes a BIG difference in our local communities. This unique program has provided funds for purchasing various items for local fire departments, groups serving youth, medical equipment for those in need, donations to food shelves and many other worthwhile causes.
Operation Round Up—small change that changes lives.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To be a part of this voluntary program, sign up online, check the box on your billing statement, or email billing@lrec.coop
Our SmartHub users can sign up by just logging into their SmartHub account.
- Log into SmartHub and visit the Billing & Payments tab, then select Operation Round Up.
- Click Enroll and accept the Terms and Conditions.
- Choose an Enrollment Option and click Confirm. You have the option to unenroll anytime.
Members who aren’t signed up with SmartHub can sign up at Operation Round Up Participation Agreement.
HOW TO GET FUNDING
If you have a community project that needs funding, complete the online Operation Round Up Request for Funding form and submit it with supporting documentation for consideration.
Contribution Guidelines
Contributions will be distributed primarily in the local area served by Lake Region Electric Cooperative. Donations will be limited to non-profit, charitable organizations. Non-profit organizations that have been granted IRS Code 501(c)(3) status and serve a large number of people will be given priority.
Upcoming deadlines are listed below.
Application Deadlines
Applications for ORU funding are received three times a year. Upcoming dates are:
- March 15, 2025
- June 15, 2025
- September 15, 2025
Meeting Dates
The Operation Round Up Board of Directors meet quarterly. Upcoming meeting dates are:
- April 7, 2025
- July 14, 2025
- October 6, 2025
RECENT GRANT RECIPIENTS
Funds were granted to 110 local organizations throughout Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s service area from the Operation Round Up Program. A total of $54,720 was awarded by the Operation Round Up Board of Trustees at the Jan. 6, 2025 meeting. Organizations receiving funds were:
- $3,120 to county extension offices for 4-H Programs
- $2,400 to county fair associations for fair expenses
- $5,760 to cities throughout our service area for one community festival
- $15,600 to fire departments in our service area for department expenses
- $6,720 to food pantries for the March food drive
- $3,120 to Post-Prom committees for party expenses
- $18,000 to schools for scholarships
The total amount awarded since 2007 is $831,240.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Operation Round Up is a voluntary charitable fundraising program through Lake Region Electric Cooperative. The trust fund is overseen by a volunteer, nine-member board of trustees, who are selected to serve by LREC’s board of directors. Current ORU Trustee Board Members are:
District 1: Karen Hart
District 2: Polly Reitan
District 3: Nick Murdock
District 4: Denise Laymon
District 5: Patty Johnson (Chair)
District 6: Brian Mancini
District 7: Harold Stanislawski
District 8: Duane Hanson
District 9: Ruth Vetter
Left to right: Patty Johnson, Nick Murdock, Ruth Vetter, Duane Hanson, Karen Hart, Denise Laymon, and Polly Reitan. Not pictured: Brian Mancini and Harold Stanislawski.
PREVIOUS GRANT RECIPIENTS
