Recently, South River EMC’s Community Assistance Corporation (CAC) awarded $58,466 in grants to local non-profit organizations through Operation Round Up.

The following non-profit organizations received grants for $5,000: Groundswell Pictures; Better Health of Cumberland County, Inc.; Dunn United Ministerial Association (DUMA); Spivey’s Corner Volunteer Fire & Rescue. Also receiving grants were, Herring Volunteer Fire Department, $4,000; Vann Crossroads Fire Department, $4,800; Bethany Rual Fie Department, $4,900 and the South Wake Conservationists, NC Wildlife Federation, $2,500.

The following educational institutions also received funds from Operation Round Up: South River EMC Bright Ideas grant program, $10,000; Stedman Primary, $3,216; and Cumberland County Fire Chief’s Association, $9,030.

“Operation Round Up is the epitome of crowd funding,” said VP of Member Services & PR. “Since 2007, our members have been donating a few cents a month, which when combined with other members’ contributions adds up to a significant investment in our 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 $197.82, the bill rounds up to $198 and the extra 18¢ 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 for big changes in the community.

South River EMC accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis. The next deadline for applications is November 15 by 5 p.m. Applications, including 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.