Tri-State EMC members have now donated over $1 million to local organizations through the Tri-State EMC Foundation, commonly known as Operation Roundup.
Contributing just a few cents a month by rounding up their electric bills, members donations passed the $1 million mark in January and then grants awarded February 3 brought the total to $1,010,870.07.
Operation Roundup was formed in 2012 as a way for members to give back to the community a few pennies at a time. The most a single rounded up electric bill will generate in 12 months is $11.88, and the annual average will be closer to half that amount. “With several thousand members signed up for the Roundup program, those donations can add up in a hurry,” Roundup Board Chairman Glenn Harbison said.
He added, “The amount that has been donated also shows how much every donation means, how much every single Tri-State member helps the community.”
Roundup board Member Alan Collis said, “The beauty of the Tri-State Roundup program is that it reminds us how powerful we are when we work together. Your spare change is more than a donation – it is a testament to the fact we take care of our own.”
Countless organizations across the Tri-State EMC service area have benefited from Roundup grants. Among those have been Feed Fannin, Snack in a Backpack, the Copper Basin Crisis Center, the Fannin County School System Childrens Fund, all the schools in the service area, the Hiwassee Dam Christmas Fund, Mineral Springs Center, the Copper Basin Senior Center, and the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Shop With A Cop, just to name a few.
The importance of donations to these groups is seen in the many thank you messages Roundup receives.
Feed Fannin’s Peggy Caldwell wrote, “This is such a wonderful surprise! Thank you so much...Feed Fannin is so blessed by those in our community. I can’t wait to tell our board members about this.”
Ann Rymer, chairperson of the Missions Committee at the First United Methodist Church of Copperhill, wrote, “I wish to thank you for the generous contribution...to help fund our Summer Meals program. Your support is vital to this project, and we are very grateful.”
A note from Debby Beck at Snack in a Backpack read, “Thank you very much for your generous grant. The program is the largest it has ever been this school year, so we need great partners like you more than ever. We couldn’t do this without you!”
Darvin Couch, president of the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Shop With A Cop program said, “It’s hard to explain how much we appreciate your donation. Its real impact is seen on the smiles of the children we are able to serve at Christmas. Without partners like Operation Roundup, we wouldn’t see those smiles. All of us at Shop With A Cop sincerely thank the board and all the Tri-State members who donate to the program.”
Harbison said any Tri-State member who is not participating in Operation Roundup and wishes to do so can call the EMC office at 706-492-3251 to sign up.
“On behalf of the entire Roundup board, thank every one of you who round up. Your donation makes a huge difference in our communities, and especially to our children and less fortunate adults.”