Co-op members give back $57K to SWRE Communities

January 19, 2023

SWRE distributed $57,258 in grants among 20 organizations within the co-op’s Oklahoma and Texas service territory. The recipients were recognized at a reception held at SWRE headquarters in Tipton on December 6. (courtesy photo)

Southwest Rural Electric’s charitable foundation, Operation Round Up, recently granted $57,258 to local organizations in need, all thanks to donations from generous co-op members.

The Cyclone Education Foundation received $4,915 for nine computers to be used in the primary computer lab.

Other organizations benefiting included: Altus Lions Club, Altus Salvation Army, Cyclone Education Foundation, Frederick Arts and Humanities Council, Frederick Public Schools Band, Grace Child Development Center, Great Plains Literacy Council, Jackson County EMS District, Operation C.A.R.E. Ministries (Jackson County), Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group Head Start, Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group Safe Haven, Tipton Chamber of Commerce, Tipton Public Schools first grade, Tipton Public Schools second grade, Town of Tipton, Vernon Meals on Wheels, Vernon Salvation Army, Warren Senior Citizens Center, Wilbarger County Child Welfare Board and Wilbarger Humane Society.

Grant distributions are powered by SWRE members who voluntarily round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar. For example, if a member’s electric bill is $151.22, the bill would be rounded to $152, and the change—never any more than 99 cents a month—goes into the Operation Round Up fund. Many members increase their contributions through Round Up PLUS and give an extra $1, $5, $10, etc. a month. These funds accumulate over the year and are exclusively marked for distribution to individuals in need and charitable organizations in the counties served by SWRE.

“How much difference have SWRE members made with their cents? Co-op members have made a total of $223,238 in grant distributions to SWRE communities possible since 2018,” said CEO Jeff Simpson. “Thank you for your cents—they matter!”

More information about the grant program can be found at SWRE.com/RoundUp.