"This system will allow our firefighters to safely extricate an individual pinned in a car after an accident.”  Sean Okerlund, Cambridge assistant fire chief.

 “About two-thirds of the families in Mille Lacs County have no access to the Internet. We have several computers, and they are always in use when we are open….”  Suzanne M. Milton, Onamia Library

 “I know that without the support of the Summer Lunch Program, many children would be left without quality food for much of the summer.” Melody Tenhoff, Rush City Elementary Principal

These comments describe just three of the important needs that were met by the East Central Energy (ECE) Operation Round Up (ORU) Trust in the recent summer grant cycle. The Trust assisted nine local organizations with funds totaling $17,856.

The charitable giving program is funded by ECE members who generously agree to have their monthly electric bill rounded up to the next dollar. The average annual contribution for members who participate is $6; the maximum annual donation through the round-up process in $11.88.

 The following organizations received grants when the independent ORU Trust Board met July 27:

• Cambridge Fire Department: $2,500 to assist with the purchase of laptop computers and Crash Recovery System software to guide firefighters in the safe extrication of victims from vehicles.
• City of Rush City: $700 to help purchase food, games, prizes and activities for the community appreciation night.
• Cross Center of Benton County, Foley: $800 to assist with the purchase of an alarm system that will alert food shelf personnel when power is out to the freezer and cooler.
• Milaca Area Pantry: $3,836 to help purchase materials for updating the electrical system in the food pantry building.
• Onamia Area Friends of the Library: $1,370 to assist with bringing high-speed Internet access to the library.
• Rum River Health Services, Princeton: $2,400 to help purchase furniture for the waiting room of a primary care community health center the agency is creating.
• Kinship of Aitkin County: $750 to assist with the purchase of back-to-school clothing and supplies for the Isle children served by Kinship.
• Rush City Food Shelf: $3,500 to purchase child-oriented food for special bags given to families during the summer months, when school lunch isn’t available.
• Braham Area Ministerial: $2,000 to help the organization provide rental, energy, automobile and miscellaneous assistance to those with financial need.

ECE members who would like to support the Operation Round Up program can sign up by checking the box at the bottom of their bill or by calling 1-800-254-7944. Community organizations which serve ECE members can contact Tina Lanhart, 763-691-2065, if they are interested in applying to the Operation Round Up Trust.