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Cohasset, Minn. – Through the contributions of Lake Country Power's participating members, the Operation Round Up® Trust Board recently approved $50,675 in assistance to local community programs during its quarterly meeting.

The cooperative’s Trust Board reviewed and considered 33 grant applications and distributed funds to 31 projects and programs this past quarter. Since the program’s inception in October 2004, more than $2.5 million has been distributed to community-based projects and programs.

The City of Deer River Fire Department received funding toward its wildland fire and rescue operations. Fire Chief Jordan Osse said the contribution will help purchase a side-by-side highway vehicle which will replace the rescue machines they presently use. It will improve their operations for faster response and efficiency. With tracks it can be used during all four seasons. 

“For a city our size, any amount helps so we really appreciate the contribution from Operation Round Up,” said Mark Box, city administrator for the City of Deer River.

Some of the other recipients will use their funds toward a personal protection equipment air tank, a new self-contained breathing apparatus project, COVID-19 response emergency meals and fabric masks for the community.

All funds generated through Operation Round Up are set aside in a trust fund. A voluntary Trust Board of nine co-op members administers the Trust. Of the funds collected through the program, 100 percent is distributed to charitable organizations through an application and selection process. The trust board uses special guidelines and policies when choosing recipients.

Most Recent Recipients

  • City of Deer River Fire Department

  • Grand Lake Township Volunteer Fire Department

  • Siseebakwet Lake Association, Inc.

  • Grace House of Itasca County

  • Pike Sandy Women’s Club

  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul

  • Township of Breitung

  • Itasca County Family YMCA

  • Washington Elementary School P.I.E.

  • The Lakeside Community Clubhouse

  • Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Senior Nutrition

  • Hill City Area Food Shelf

  • City of Tamarack city park

  • Quad City Food Shelf

  • Zion Love Project

  • ANGELS – A living at home block nurse program

  • Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department

  • Lawron Church Quilters

  • Deer River Area Food Shelf

  • Bess Metsa Memorial Gardens

  • Volunteer Services of Carlton County

  • ElderCircle

  • Britt Area Recreational Center

  • Northwoods Friends of the Arts

  • Ellsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

  • Voyageurs Area Council

  • Old School Lives, Inc.

  • Dorothy Molter Memorial Foundation

  • Queen of Peace Quilters

  • St. Louis County Volunteer Rescue Squad

  • Story Portage community book club

Operation Round Up® is a charitable program unique to electric co-ops, which is designed to provide financial assistance to worthwhile activities and community projects by “rounding up” member’s electric bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation of each participating Lake Country Power member is less than $6 annually.

Among Lake Country Power’s 43,000 members, nearly 64 percent of all active electric accounts participate in the program through voluntary contributions. Interested members can opt into the Operation Round Up program by calling the cooperative at 800-421-9959 or using an online form at lakecountrypower.coop.

Applications are available online at www.lakecountrypower.coop (My Cooperative > Community > Operation Round Up®). The next application deadline is August 15.