Pocket Change With Purpose
What’s the impact of 50 cents? It’s pocket change — perhaps even less than what you might find while cleaning out your car. But, at Wiregrass Electric (WEC), these spare nickels and dimes are creating significant change. That’s the beauty of our Operation Round Up Foundation — a program that is very near and dear to my heart.
Here at WEC, we believe in the power of community and the strength that comes from collective effort. Our Operation Round Up Foundation is a perfect representation of that principle. It’s a simple concept. Each month, our members round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation may seem small — around $6 per year, per member — but when pooled together, it’s mighty. In fact, this collective effort raises around $120,000 annually.
This program reached a remarkable milestone last year, $1 million collected since its inception. Over the last 8 years or so, these funds have provided scholarships for local students, equipped and trained volunteer fire departments, and offered emergency assistance during local disasters, among many other important initiatives.
What’s really remarkable is how these funds are allocated. There are no overhead costs, thanks to our foundation board members, who volunteer their time and ensure your donations go directly back into our community, supporting a range of necessary projects and individuals in need.
An important aspect of Operation Round Up is the Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass program. You can turn to Page 6 of this issue to read all about how our partnership with WTVY helps boost the impact of people and organizations already making a positive difference in the Wiregrass.
Just 2 years ago, we added another layer to our fundraising efforts — a golf tournament that now brings in about $55,000 each year. This additional support has significantly boosted our ability to give back and assist in more ways than we could have imagined.
But Operation Round Up isn’t just about the money. It reflects our commitment to our members and the broader community. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our core services, like keeping the lights on and ensuring fair billing. But beyond these essential services, it’s about human connection, about taking care of one another. It’s about seeing a need within our community and working to address it.
I am immensely grateful for the support of our members, who make all of this possible through their generosity. This program’s success is a direct result of your willingness to contribute that extra change to a worthy cause. Your participation is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together.
As we look forward, Operation Round Up continues to be a source of pride for all of us at WEC. I am proud to be a part of an organization that understands the value of working together to uplift lives and strengthen our community, 1 cent at a time.
Thank you to every member who rounds up your bill, to our dedicated board and staff, and to our community partners who help us identify and fulfill these crucial needs. Your combined efforts underscore the belief that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.