This National Cooperative Month, South River EMC’s Community Assistance Corporation is demonstrating commitment to the community by awarding Operation Round Up grants totaling $73,514 to local non-profit organizations and schools.

The following non-profit and emergency services organizations received grants funded by members rounding up their electric bills monthly: GroundSwell Pictures, $5,000; Beaver Dam Volunteer Fire Department, $6,072; Cumberland County Fire Marshal’s Office, $4,912; Transitions LifeCare, $10,000; Wade Community Fire Department Inc., $5,800; Vann Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department Inc., $3,300; Lillington United Methodist Church Community Garden Project, $4,900; Bethany Rural Fire Department, $4,433; Suttontown EMS Inc., $3,836; Harnett County Chiefs Association, $6,200; and Flat Branch Volunteer Fire Department, $5,000.

Educational programs and schools receiving funding include Stedman Primary School, $4,061 and South River EMC’s Bright Ideas grant program, $10,000.

“South River EMC adheres to a set of core principles and values that are the guiding star for cooperatives across the globe,” said Catherine O’Dell, VP of Member Services & PR. “Operation Round Up is a perfect way to demonstrate Cooperative Principle Seven, Concern for Community.”

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 $133.64, the bill rounds up to $134 and the extra 36¢ 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 annually.

South River EMC accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis. The next deadline for applications is November 15, by 5 p.m. Applications, as well as guidelines, can be found online at sremc.com. Please note, handwritten applications are not accepted, and an online application is required.

South River EMC is a locally owned and operated electric cooperative, which provides electric service to 48,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties.