Operation Round Up

Operation Round Up logo

Since Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) was founded in 1939, the betterment of our communities has been a top priority. In fact, Concern for Community is one of the seven cooperative principles on which we base everything we do. We know that one of the secrets to growing and maintaining a successful community is making sure our schools, churches, volunteer fire departments, and other organizations are able to serve all of us in a meaningful way.

That’s why we started Operation Round Up — an innovative program designed to let our members help themselves and the community as a whole by giving just pennies a month by rounding up their electric bills to the nearest whole dollar. Currently, about 85% of our members participate in this voluntary program.

Since the program began in 2015, WEC’s Operation Round Up program has handed out thousands of dollars for:

  • Scholarships to local students
  • Three girls holding diplomas standing next to parents.Training and equipment for volunteer fire departments
  • Playground equipment to local schools
  • A state-of-the-art bed for premature babies at Southeast Alabama Medical Center
  • Scholarships for medical students at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Emergency assistance to victims of local disasters
  • A foundation that raises money to help cancer patients in the region

In addition, we began a partnership with WTVY for Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass, a program that provides money and recognition to unsung local organizations and individuals who help members of our community.

WEC’s Operation Round Up is not just a way to give back to our community, however. It’s a way our members show their hearts and spirits. We are all in this together, and we thank you for continuing to make our beloved Wiregrass a great place to live!

To nominate a Silent Hero, follow this link to fill out a nomination form.


Scholarships

Traditional Students

Applicants for traditional student scholarships must be college-bound high school seniors and home-school students attending an accredited two-year or four-year college, technical school, vocational school, or continuing education institution in the state of Alabama.

Nontraditional Students

Applicants for a nontraditional scholarship are students attending an accredited two-year or four-year college, technical school, vocational school, or continuing education institution in the state of Alabama, who meet at least one of these criteria: delayed enrollment into postsecondary education; financially independent for financial aid purposes; has dependents other than a spouse; is a single parent.

Wallace Community College Lineworker Program

Applicants for this scholarship should be interested in pursuing Wallace Community College’s Pre-apprentice Electrical Lineworker program and show demonstrated financial need.

Apply for Scholarships

To apply for any one of the above scholarships, please visit our scholarship application page below.

Apply for Scholarships

Operation Round Up Grants

You can apply for grants for individuals and families, or businesses and organizations.

Apply for Grants

Quick Facts

  • Operation Round Up Charitable Foundation rounds each member’s bill to the next whole dollar amount.
  • The money will be used to support charitable causes and nonprofit community services and programs throughout our local Wiregrass community.
  • An independent board made up of nine WEC members, selected from the community, will review applications for the charitable foundation and select how and to whom the money will be distributed. Learn more about the board members on our Board of Trustees page below.
  • Participation is voluntary. Members are automatically placed into the program but can choose to withdraw at any time.
  • If you want to know more, view our Operation Round Up FAQ page below, or please call us at (800) 239-4602. We’ll be happy to help!