JACKSON — The Federated Rural Electric Trust, Jackson, has awarded $32,228 to local organizations through Operation Round Up. These donations are the direct result of monthly contributions by participating Federated members who choose to round up their bill to the nearest dollar.
The Trust Board set aside funding for nine $700 high school scholarships for Federated members in 2023. Plus, 31 groups received money in this 56th round of funding. They are: Air Impact Socket Set
![Federated Rural Electric members help fund local projects with Operation Round Up - The Globe | News, weather, sports from Worthington, Minnesota](http://cdn.globalso.com/elehand/10-41.png)
Heron Lake-Okabena Schools: Elementary Phy Ed program, $200 for roller skate rentals for PE classes; Elementary Occupational Therapy program, $238 for crash pad and body stretching bag for motor skills control; School pool, $1,000 toward log roller and to replace pool stairs; Robotics teams, $1,000 to purchase robotic parts, batteries and motors for two teams; High School industrial tech program, $1,500 toward a new band saw; High School agriculture department, $500 for two activity tables in classroom for hands-on activities.
Jackson County Central Schools: Agriculture department, $382, for ceramic knife sets and oven mitts/pot holders in food’s kitchens, plus $1,000 for three battery-operated jib saws, drill bits, safety glasses and ear plugs; Riverside Elementary Special Education, $500 to purchase four sets of books; tennis courts in Lakefield, $554 to replace two old nets for PE classes & community use; First Grade, $605 to purchase a set of decodable text books to become better readers; Riverside Elementary, $700 for sensory room supplies to help cope with emotions and behaviors
Emergency Services: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, $579 to purchase CPR mannequins,a jail AED defibrillator and replaceable pads, and $550 to buy a body opponent bag for defensive tactics training for jailers; Lakefield Fire Rescue, $600 toward a grain bin rescue auger; Dunnell Lake Fremont Fire Department, $600 toward a grain bin rescue auger and battery-powered drill; Alpha Fire Department, $1,000 toward a cordless headset for pump operator to radio traffic at fires; Lakefield Ambulance Service, $1,250 to purchase three new pagers (two for new members and one replacement); Sherburn Fire Department, $1,500 to buy two hand-held thermal imaging cameras to find fire victims; Jackson Ambulance Service, $1,500 toward new hand-held radio, replacing broken one; Round Lake Fire Department, $1,500 to purchase two wetsuits for ice water rescue and an inflatable flotation device.
Granada-Huntley-East Chain Schools: $683 for Mindful Moment classroom supplies and materials for anxiety relief in the Elementary School.
Fairmont Girls Basketball Association: $500 toward six basketballs for fourth to eighth grade teams.
Caregiver Response Effort and Service Team, Fairmont: $900 for handbooks for volunteer training, regional training and brochures.
City of Jackson Park Board: $400 to replace two worn-out dog waste receptacles on trails.
Family Services Network, Jackson: $500 to buy snowpants for area youth.
Reinbows, Inc, Windom: $500 to buy three drills, chargers and cases to teach carpentry skills.
BIO Girls, Jackson-Lakefield: $888 to fund four scholarships for mentoring program, guides and supplies.
East Chain Activity Center: $1,000 to upgrade to LED bulbs in the big gym.
Business, Arts & Recreation Center, Windom: $1,500 to help fund a keyless entry door lock system for safety and security.
Jackson County Library System: $1,799 for an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for the Lakefield Library.
The Trust Board received 46 applications, totaling $73,832, in this round of funding. The board will meet again in the spring to determine the next round of funding. The application deadline is Feb. 10.
About 76% of Federated Rural Electric members participate in Operation Round Up. They allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra cents go to a special trust fund administered by an independent Trust Board that consists of seven Federated members.
Since the first round of funding in 1995, nearly $868,000 has been awarded to local organizations and as high school scholarships.
“Operation Round Up is a way for members to help members,” said Stuart Smart, Federated’s Trust Board Chairman. “Just a few cents a month, when added with other members’ cents, can really add up and do some good in our communities. On average, a member’s Round Up contributions amount to approximately $6 a year, which is tax-deductible.”
The Trust Board’s policy outlines project categories eligible for funding:
![Federated Rural Electric members help fund local projects with Operation Round Up - The Globe | News, weather, sports from Worthington, Minnesota](http://cdn.globalso.com/elehand/FW_Unmounted__81843.1615412036.jpg)
Auto Socket Wrench Interested organizations may visit federatedrea.coop to download the application form and information, e-mail info@federatedrea.coop for an application or call (507) 847-3520 and ask for Andrea. Federated is a Touchstone Energy cooperative serving 6,800 members in Jackson and Martin counties.